Maryam Qaiser Senior Journalist

15/03/2024

The care sector has over 152,000 unfilled roles, the has an around 126,000 vacancies, including 43,000 in nursing & it's feared new migrant rules will only worsen the issue.
I speak to care workers about the impact the new migrant ban will have.

Also in this week’s
To mark the NHS’s 75th birthday, the Migration Museum in London has gathered documents, photographs, memories & objects from midwifery badges to nurses’ uniforms, to write migrant health-workers back into our national history.

The care sector has more than 152,000 unfilled roles and the NHS has an estimated 126,000 vacancies, including 43,000 in nursing, and it's feared new migrant rules will only worsened the issue

10/03/2024

Ramadan Mubarak 🌙

01/03/2024

I went to the picket line in Dudley where frontline workers - porters, cleaners, operators & cooks shared their harrowing stories of working during Covid. They're now striking over unpaid 'Covid bonus' while their boss took home £5.9m, including a bonus of £4.8m in cash & shares. “Sometimes we would be moving 12 or 13 bodies a day. The mortuary was backed up. We became numb, the volume of bodies we were dealing with was traumatic" says porter Richard. Meanwhile chef Sylvia told me the hospital “felt like a death box".
My story in today's The Mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/300-traumatised-hospital-workers-go-32245400

01/02/2024

Brilliant news for Nottingham!

Exciting news! Broad Marsh will be home to a new Community Diagnostic Centre.
It will be run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust & will help reduce patient backlog.

It will support GPs and offer services like MRI, CT, x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, ECG, and lung function testing.

www.mynottinghamnews.co.uk/broad-marsh-announced-as-site-for-community-diagnostic-centre/

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust

30/12/2023

Absolutely epic day at the Etihad Stadium to watch Manchester City V Sheffield United ⚽️
I was invited to watch the game from the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Platinum Box.
Fantastic experience, thank you Abu Dhabi Culture for inviting me and my guest, incredibly grateful and what a way to finish 2023!
BCW Global 🤩

22/12/2023

Christmas can be such a tough time for families across the country for so many reasons, unemployment, benefit sanctions, family situations, the cost of living crisis, soaring energy bills, so Family Action has been on a mission to make Christmas so magical for thousands of families this year!
This week, their van dropped off presents to 11,000 families including mum-of-two Lorraine, who worked in the army for nearly 14 years until she was discharged on medical grounds. Her spinal discs collapsed leaving her in chronic pain. She now struggles to even hold a cup of tea in the morning. She says: "This Christmas, I can’t afford the things on my children’s wish list."
I also spoke to mum-of-three Vicky who was declared bankrupt after her marriage broke down. Meanwhile Kelly Casey is a college lecturer, she has 2 jobs and works 7 days a week to provide for her two sons, she relies on a food box and Charlotte who has fibromyalgia, arthritis & Raynaud’s disease. The mum-of-three is so grateful for Family Action's support.
Read my story in today's Daily Mirror

Lorraine Martins and her two children among 11,000 families being supported by Family Action this Christmas

16/12/2023

Beautiful sunset this evening 🧡💛

09/12/2023

Britain Talks Climate: Inside the different opinions on tackling climate change
We teamed up with Uni of Leeds to understand how people can better communicate around one of the biggest issues faced by humanity; climate change.
It today’s The Mirror (pg 34&35) double page 🤗

The Mirror is working with the University of Leeds to understand how people can better communicate around one of the biggest issues faced by humanity; climate change

08/12/2023

There is something special about receiving a Christmas card through the post. With the price of stamps soaring and the digital world we live in, it may come as a surprise, but an estimated 900 million cards still sent each year in the UK.
So I went behind-the-scenes at the Hallmark factory to see where all the creative magic happens. I spent the day as an art designer to design my very own Christmas Ccard, which is on sale on the Hallmark website. It was an exciting day where I visited the studios, which were bursting at the seams with colours, paintbrushes, reams of materials, paper gems, wrapping paper and 3D cut-outs. I spent time with the fabulous art director Liz Ring, who brought my design to life. I also explored the archives and delved into the history of greeting cards and saw the very first Hallmark card. It is all very funky at Hallmark HQ, they have an Insights Team, tasked with looking at trends and while the theme for 2023 and a Future Squad, who delves into what event and sentiment cards we might soon be sending each other.
Read my Mirror Exclusive in today's The Mirror

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-designed-christmas-card-hallmark-31624128

27/11/2023

People in Nottinghamshire have been affected by the chocolate that was allegedly being sold as "mystery bars" at the Mansfield Christmas markets.

The Food Standards Agency has argued Nottinghamshire Police to investigate an incident following reports of illness after eating Cali-Gold chocolate

25/11/2023

I first contacted Lily back in February in the hope she would take part in our amazing People Move project, it took Lily nine months to respond, and it’s no wonder.

Lily Inga was just six when she fled the Rwanda genocide in 1994 . But the brutal reality of what she went through, resurfaced when the Government announced their unlawful Rwanda deal to deport asylum seekers.

Lily reached out earlier this month to not only take part in People Move but to also share her story for the very first time. She talks to me about the Rwandan genocide she witnessed, her neighbours being shot dead, fleeing her home leaving everything behind, being held in a detention centre with her father, being separated from her mother, and at times not being welcomed as a refugee. She has blasted the Gov ‘inhumane’ deportation plans!

Here is Lily’s story.

Lily Inga was just six when she fled the Rwanda genocide in 1994 . But the brutal reality of what she went through, resurfaced when the Government announced their unlawful Rwanda deal to deport asylum seekers.

17/11/2023

Again the Gov is trialling brutal disability cuts but this time, as a way of paying for vote-winning tax cuts in 2024. This week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt threatened UC claimants with even more vicious sanctions. Now Hunt may not ‘uprate’ benefits in line with inflation. There are rumours that ministers have drawn up drastic benefit changes for people unable to work due to health conditions.
We speak to disabled people living in 'constant fear'.

Once again, the Government is trialling brutal disability cuts - this time, as a way of paying for vote-winning tax cuts in 2024, but the vulnerable will suffer badly

11/11/2023

On Armistice Day, we commemorate all of those, from all faiths, who sacrificed their lives in war for the freedoms we have today 🥀

19/10/2023

It has taken me several days to find the courage & words to speak of the horrific crisis. I strongly condemn the brutal & inhumane acts of violence against innocent people in Gaza & Israel. This isn’t about religion, it’s about politics & power. My heart breaks. Pray for peace 🥀

13/10/2023

Read all about our exhibition in today's The Mirror
Conference-goers and the general public were able to visit 35 portraits at the Museum of Liverpool from our People Move Instagram project to celebrate 100 extraordinary people
As Mirror editor Alison Phillips told our People Move refugee event – which opened with the joyful music of the Merseyside Asylum-link Choir – “We hear an awful lot about hatred and division and how we’ve failed as a multicultural society. That does not have to be the choice. We can build the country we choose to have, and we thank you for your part in that.”

Conference-goers and the general public were able to visit 35 portraits at the Museum of Liverpool from our People Move Instagram project to celebrate 100 extraordinary people

12/10/2023

Labour Conference 2023
Had the very best time. The Daily Mirror held some amazing fringe events, including our amazing People Move fringe and exhibition.
Also we held the Nuke Blood Scandal event with LabRats, then an event on the Warm Welcome scheme, and the Mirror brought their 120th anniversary photo exhibition to the conference among so many other events.
My team and I were lucky enough to host our People Move exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool
Not to mention a fantastic meal with Hope not Hate
And we finished the amazing 4 days with the legendary Mirror Party.

18/09/2023

Delighted to announce, I’m a finalist for ‘Journalist of the Year’ at this year’s Asian Media Awards. Completely shocked! A massive thanks to my bosses/colleagues for the endless opportunities & support! Looking forward to attending the prestigious ceremony next month! 🥳

10/09/2023

This summer I was lucky enough to visit the 5* @
Kerkyra Blue Hotel N' Spa in Corfu Greece to write a travel piece.

The hotel reopened its doors in May after a €6m major renovation. I spent a week taking a dip in their pools, sunbathing and swimming on their private beach, fine dining at their many restaurants where I tucked into the very best Greek and Japanese foods, oh and had the best treatments in their spa!

There is plenty to see and do outside of the resort too. I went on a guided walking tour with , then spent the day exploring the olive farm, and hiked to the top of the castle.

There was something for everyone, adults and families!

Do I recommend the holiday? An ABSOLUTE YES from me! 🇬🇷 ☀️

https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/europe/i-stayed-glamorous-5million-corfu-30913814

09/08/2023

EXCLUSIVE: Bini’s life came crashing down after 3 failed rounds of IVF, losing her job & running out of money. But with just £200 she started a cookery school & ready meal business, which has won 13 awards. She will now appear on Channel 4, The Cotswold Farmshop.

Bini Ludlow's life came crumbling down when her IVF journey came to an end and she lost her job. But despite running out of money she started a cookery school and an award-winning ready meals business

08/08/2023

EXCLUSIVE: Aidan an amputee, was driven to severe psychological trauma, when his PIP disability benefits were ruthlessly cut & his car taken away. He was left housebound for a year. Aidan won at tribunal but DWP still tried to appeal the judge’s decision.

Aidan Wood, an amputee, was driven to severe psychological trauma when his disability benefits were ruthlessly cut because assessors thought he could walk to the bus stop

27/07/2023

Mum and son enduring human waste flooding bathroom after issue with neighbouring pipes

Human waste flooded into Katie Burden’s toilet and bath, each time neighbouring toilets were flushed after a problem with blocked drains outside their flat in Norwich

27/07/2023

Mum-of-six left in agonising pain with ‘lumps and bumps’ after £7k Turkish mummy make-over!

WARNING: DISTRESSING IMAGES Mum-of-six Emma Witney, who was depressed with the way she looked, has been left 'lumpy and bumpy' after £7k Turkish mummy makeover

18/07/2023

Delighted to say, we’ve won Best Local & Community Newsletter at the Publisher Newsletter Awards. I became co-editor earlier this year, I work with the best team, who work really hard! A fantastic newsletter bringing you rich and diverse stories!
Sign-up https://data.reachplc.com/form/220825296173357

07/07/2023

Over the past few weeks 3,084 readers from all over the world have signed up for a chat with someone from a different country for our new project, World Talks, working with our German counterparts My Country Talks and ZEIT ONLINE.
We were able to find chatting partners for all those who registered, making 1,542 matches involving 116 countries. Here are 6 people from around the world who met online with someone from the UK to share views, have a laugh and put the world to rights.
My story in today's The Mirror

24/06/2023

This week the first anniversary of People Move was celebrated with an exhibition, where a selection of the 100 portraits taken as part of the project was displayed in London.
Here are some of the portraits and stories...
In today’s The Mirror

21/06/2023

Official photos have landed … quick chat with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan before we headed into exhibition.

Copyright: Greater London Authority / Daily Mirror

20/06/2023

A year ago my amazing team and I launched People Move. Our award-winning photographer Phil Coburn has spent a year photographing people who have sought sanctuary in the UK with an object that connects them to home. For Refugee Week 2023, the Instagram project became a physical exhibition. The Daily Mirror hosted a special event to launch their exhibition on 19th June to coincide the start of Refugee Week 2023. More than 90 portraits were displayed at the City Hall, London. Special guests included London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Lord Alf Dubs and 2023 Refugee Week Co-Chair Dima Mekdad.
Many People Move participants attended & it was an absolute honour to meet so many who I interviewed! Thanks to all the charities/organisations who supported us!

08/06/2023

Wonderful afternoon with Corfu Walking Tours.

26/05/2023

We had an absolute blast chatting to Hyunwoo Yang in & Naomie Ihong-Fils in about all things KPOP, education & local cuisines in the second part of our The World Talks project.

Fancy a chat with someone in a different country, then sign-up for The World Talks - https://mirror.co.uk/all-about/world-talks
See what the project is all about in our new short film
https://youtu.be/_QVceEhihHw

Read our story in today's The Mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/students-living-worlds-apart-find-30078083

British student Naomie Ihong-Fils is a member of the K-Pop Society at her ­university - and South Korean student Hyunwoo Yang is surprised by the connection

26/05/2023

Sophia grew up enduring horrendous racism, she was spat at in sickening attack & was constantly questioning her identity as a British Pakistani Muslim, now she proudly celebrates her heritage with her successful business Roti Box

On a lighter note rotibox is amazing! Sophia kindly gifted me one to try out and it really does solve a lot of problems! Make roti without the mess!
And the secret behind the product is Sophia's dad, Shaid.

Check out her great products - rotibox.co.uk

Read my story https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/i-spat-racially-abused-now-30054872

Verbally abused and spat on, Sophia Choudry spent her childhood battling with her identity. But now the mum-of-two proudly celebrates her heritage with her successful business