Mohammed Akhlak Rauf MBE

Lay Leader

Background

Mohammed has worked on tackling inequalities for over 25 years, the last 18 of which have focussed on dementia.  His work crosses through a number of fields including work within health and social care as well as voluntary work within community organisations in Bradford.

His dementia work has earned him national recognition of working in research, policy and frontline support, especially in relation to supporting people within minoritised ethnic communities.  People living with dementia, at risk of dementia and those caring for a relative living with dementia are able to access advice, guidance, information whilst organisations are supported with challenging their own bias, presumptions, and embedding cultural humility and sensitivities in planning, designing and delivering services.

Mohammed’s work is recognised locally, nationally and at a European level, building recognition for giving voice to underserved and under-represented communities.  He currently works as a Community Engagement Research Fellow alongside running a community interest company that he founded in 2019 – Meri Yaadain CiC.

He has a PhD in understanding coping strategies of South Asian family carers looking after a relative living with advanced dementia. In 2016 he was honoured with an MBE for services to people living with dementia and their families.