Meet the Team

Faranak Shahini

Faranak Shahini

Deputy Director: Service, Casework and immigration lead

As an immigrant herself, Faranak is passionate about being the voice for people facing the same difficulties she did. She now has over 15 years’ experience of working with people who are homeless, refugees and asylum-seekers. She is OISC level one qualified and is our service and immigration lead. Faranak is multi-lingual, and fluent in Farsi and Dari.

Esperance Barutwanayo

Esperance Barutwanayo

Safeguarding, Empowerment and Mentoring lead

After a decade of experience in safeguarding, Esperance served in charitable organisations delivering services to local schools, especially vulnerable communities. She has been addressing safety issues of voiceless, domestic abuse victims, immigrants, asylum seekers, modern slavery victims and people of ethnic minority groups with mental health issues. Esperance speaks French, Swahili and Dutch.