Syed Maruf Ali

Syed Maruf Ali is an Assistant Head of Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11) at a secondary school in Oldham and a community activist who has inspired many children and young people from deprived backgrounds. In 1986 aged 10, Maruf moved to Oldham from Bangladesh with his parents.

Maruf was enthusiastic about volunteering and community work. Maruf was involved in coaching and managing a Junior Football Team consisting of Bangladeshi boys who were disillusioned and risked jeopardising their future by mixing with the wrong crowd. The success of this project led Maruf to set up a voluntary organisation called SPARC (Shahjalal Physical Activeness & Recreational Club) in 2018.

SPARC now has many volunteers working with young people and facilitates sports activities for young people in deprived parts of Oldham. Maruf has undertaken many voluntary roles including the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. Maruf is a member of the Independent Advisory Group whose role is to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the Police. Maruf worked as a Personal Advisor for a Careers Advisory Service helping young people aged 13-19 to participate in appropriate learning.

Maruf raised the aspirations of these young people so that they reached their full potential. Maruf is a Trustee of a local Community Centre and Mosque. He was a Governor of a local Primary School. Maruf lives with his wife and two children. He cares for his elderly mother with mental health issues and his younger brother with Downs Syndrome.

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