Published on: 11 August 2025
As part of South Asian Heritage Month (18 July – 17 August), Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating a range contributions from its south Asian communities and colleagues. This year’s theme, ‘Roots to Routes’, invites us to learn south Asian identity, culture and the rich diversity that strengthens our workforce and the care we provide. 
To mark the awareness month, Derbyshire Healthcare is celebrating its diverse workforce by sharing colleagues’ stories and shining a spotlight on their lives. Sabeeha Anisah, Health Protection Lead Nurse at Derbyshire Healthcare, has written a personal piece sharing her own experiences and reflections on how cultural pride and professional achievements have shaped who she is today.
“As South Asian Heritage Month (18 July – 17 August) approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my journey – where I’ve come from, and where I am today. I’m a British Muslim woman, born and raised in Derby, with roots in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan). My heritage is a source of deep pride, and this month gives me a moment to pause and honour the path that’s brought me into the NHS.
“I grew up in a warm, close-knit family where respect, compassion, and good manners weren’t just taught – they were lived. My father, the Imam – known as a religious leader in Islam, at Derby Jamia Mosque, and my mother, a full-time homemaker, raised me and my siblings with love, patience, and faith. Our home was calm, supportive, and grounded in Islamic values, and that foundation has shaped every part of who I am.
“My faith as a Muslim is central to my identity. Islam teaches compassion, service, and humility; these values align beautifully with my work in healthcare. It gives me strength in difficult moments and reminds me of my purpose. I’m incredibly grateful to work in a team where my beliefs are respected. My manager’s support, especially in making space for prayer, has meant more than I can express.
“My father’s dedication to our community inspired me from a young age. Watching him serve others sparked a desire in me to work hard, give back, and stay true to my values. I was proud to be the first girl in my family to go to university. This was a moment that filled my parents with pride and gave me the motivation to keep going.
“After completing my GCSEs, I studied Early Years at the University of Derby. But it was in 2012, when I started as a bank Health Care Assistant at Royal Derby Hospital, that something clicked. I felt drawn to the care, the connection, and the people. I looked up to the nurses around me and, with their encouragement and my family’s support, I pursued a Nursing degree and eventually completed my Master’s in Adult Nursing in 2019.
“Since then, I’ve worked on a renal ward at the Royal Derby Hospital and now serve in the Health Protection Unit at Derbyshire Healthcare. I’m proud to be part of a team that values inclusion and supports me not just as a professional, but as a person.
“Working in the NHS has been both challenging and rewarding. As a South Asian Muslim woman, I’ve found immense pride in contributing to a health service built on diversity. I’ve seen how cultural understanding and lived experience can enhance patient care, especially in a system that serves such a broad and vibrant population.
“For me, South Asian Heritage Month is more than a celebration. It’s a tribute to the sacrifices my parents made, the values they passed on, and the doors they helped open. It’s about visibility, pride, and resilience. It’s about celebrating not just where we come from, but how far we’ve come.
“Here’s to honouring our roots, embracing our journeys, and building a future where every story is seen and celebrated, and not just during South Asian Heritage Month, but every day.”
