For more than three decades, Sohail Ahmed has been at the heart of community development, youth empowerment, education, social justice and voluntary service in Rochdale. His journey reflects dedication, resilience and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of local people.
Originally from Pakistan, Sohail Ahmed completed a Master’s degree in Physics before moving to the United Kingdom in the early 1990s to join his family. Like many new arrivals, he faced uncertainty about his future career path, but his passion for serving people quickly became clear.
He began his professional journey as a Positive Action Trainee, where he developed valuable links and gained experience working alongside influential leaders and community figures. Within months, he progressed into a role with HM Customs and Excise, serving for seven years as a civil servant. During this time, he worked across several departments including Import and Export Duty Management and European Customs, travelling extensively throughout the UK and Ireland.
Although he valued his career within the civil service, Sohail Ahmed always carried a deep passion for youth work and community engagement. This passion led him to Rochdale Youth Service, where he worked part-time with young people while building strong relationships with local leaders, councillors and community organisations.
Eventually, he made the decision to leave Customs and dedicate himself fully to community development in Rochdale.
Building Communities Through Deeplish Community Centre
Sohail Ahmed became heavily involved with Deeplish Community Centre at a time when resources were limited and social cohesion faced many challenges. Through determination and collaboration, he helped bring communities together and strengthen unity within Rochdale.
Working alongside respected local leaders and organisations, he played a key role in establishing youth forums, community groups and support services that would go on to positively impact generations of local residents.
One of his earliest achievements was helping develop educational and family-focused services in the Deeplish area. He became involved with local schools and children’s services, eventually serving as Chair of Governors at a local primary school. Under his leadership and through years of campaigning, funding was secured for both a purpose-built Children’s Centre and a new school building, transforming educational opportunities for local families.
Today, these facilities continue to serve the community and stand as a lasting legacy of collaborative community action.
Supporting Education and Young People
Education has always remained central to Sohail Ahmed’s work. He strongly believes in creating opportunities for young people to succeed and progress into professional careers.
He played a significant role in supporting the establishment of Muslim girls’ and boys’ schools in Rochdale during the 1990s and early 2000s. At a time when many Muslim children travelled outside Rochdale for education, these schools helped meet the growing needs of the local community.
Alongside this, Sohail Ahmed helped deliver Urdu language education through supplementary schools based in Rochdale. Working with other teachers and community leaders, he helped develop GCSE and A-Level Urdu programmes, encouraging young people to achieve qualifications while remaining connected to their language and heritage.
His work extended beyond traditional education. Through Deeplish Community Centre, he helped establish one of the area’s earliest IT and digital learning centres. At a time when internet access was limited for many families, the centre offered local residents opportunities to learn computer skills, complete coursework, improve communication and connect with loved ones abroad.
This pioneering project helped tackle digital exclusion long before it became a national concern.
Developing Youth Leadership and Activities
Throughout his career, Sohail Ahmed remained passionate about youth development. He helped introduce the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme to local community centres, encouraging young people to participate in leadership activities, volunteering and personal development.
What started as a small initiative at Deeplish Community Centre eventually expanded across Rochdale and beyond, with many young people progressing through Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
He also supported a wide range of youth activities including sports programmes, girls’ groups, educational projects and holiday play schemes.
The Deeplish Play Scheme became one of the community’s most popular initiatives, providing children and families with safe activities, trips and social opportunities during school holidays. Over time, the programme expanded significantly and continues to support families today through weekend and holiday activities focused on wellbeing, learning and healthy lifestyles.
Championing Health and Wellbeing
Recognising the growing health inequalities within local communities, Sohail Ahmed helped establish regular health awareness programmes through Deeplish Community Centre.
Working alongside health professionals, consultants, GPs and Manchester Public Health teams, the centre now hosts educational seminars covering issues such as asthma, cancer, dementia, mental health and cardiovascular disease.
These sessions aim to improve awareness, reduce health inequalities and ensure local residents have access to trusted information and support.
The centre also delivers regular health checks and wellbeing initiatives, responding directly to the challenges many families face due to poverty, isolation and the rising cost of living.
Community Transport and Tackling Isolation
One of Sohail Ahmed’s proudest achievements was supporting the development of community transport services designed to connect isolated residents with vital services and social opportunities.
The initiative expanded across Rochdale and neighbouring areas, offering transport for healthcare appointments, education, employment and shopping. It also helped elderly residents attend weekly lunch clubs and community gatherings.
The project became especially important for older people experiencing loneliness and isolation. By bringing communities together through shared activities and cultural exchange, the programme strengthened relationships between people from different backgrounds and neighbourhoods.
Promoting Arts, Poetry and Cultural Heritage
Beyond his work in education and community services, Sohail Ahmed has also been deeply involved in promoting literature, poetry and the arts.
Through events known as “Mushairas,” Deeplish Community Centre became a hub for poets, writers and artists from across the UK. These gatherings celebrated Urdu poetry, Sufi traditions, literacy and creative expression while helping connect generations through culture and storytelling.
Many respected poets and intellectuals regularly attended these events, inspiring younger generations to explore literature, language and artistic expression.
Today, although the events are less frequent, the legacy of those cultural programmes continues through wellbeing projects, arts initiatives and community creativity sessions.
Service in the Justice System
In 2007, Sohail Ahmed was appointed as a magistrate in Rochdale after being encouraged by respected members of the local justice system who recognised his dedication to community service and social responsibility.
Since taking on the role, he has served with pride and distinction across the Greater Manchester judicial system, contributing towards fairness, social justice and stronger community representation within the courts.
His work as a magistrate has allowed him to support individuals and families through the legal process while helping uphold the principles of justice, equality and accountability.
Alongside his judicial responsibilities, Sohail Ahmed has also supported a number of organisations linked to civil society, community safety and rehabilitation initiatives.
One of the most significant aspects of his public service has been his role as a member of the Independent Monitoring Board for HM Prison Service. Through this important position, Sohail Ahmed gained direct insight into the realities of life within prisons and the standards of care provided to individuals in custody.
He carried out this role for the full duration of 15 years on behalf of the Home Office, regularly visiting prisons, monitoring conditions and ensuring the welfare and dignity of prisoners were being maintained. Throughout this period, he made numerous recommendations to the UK Government on how best to support people in custody through education, training, employment opportunities, welfare support, wellbeing initiatives and rehabilitation programmes.
Sohail Ahmed has been recognised as an influential voice in helping shape positive change within the prison system, offering guidance on how individuals can be better supported to recover, rebuild their lives and successfully rehabilitate back into society.
Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service
In recognition of over 35 years of community service, Deeplish Community Centre was recently honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service — one of the highest honours awarded to voluntary organisations in the UK.
Following a thorough assessment process led by representatives of the Lord Lieutenant’s office, the centre received official recognition for decades of dedication to serving local communities.
For Sohail Ahmed, the award represents not just his own contribution, but the efforts of countless volunteers, staff members, committee members and local residents who have supported the centre throughout its history.
He later attended Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievement alongside other distinguished charities and voluntary organisations from across the country.
Reflecting on the recognition, Sohail Ahmed described it as a proud and emotional moment that highlighted the importance of community service, teamwork and long-term dedication.
A Lasting Legacy
Sohail Ahmed’s story is one of service, leadership and community spirit. From youth work and education to health initiatives, cultural programmes and social justice, his impact on Rochdale continues to be felt across generations.
His work has helped shape opportunities for young people, strengthen communities and create spaces where people from all backgrounds can come together, learn and thrive.
Through decades of commitment, Sohail Ahmed has become not only a respected community leader, but also an inspiration for future generations dedicated to making a positive difference in society.
