Monica Shafaq

Monica Shafaq is a British Mental Health advocate and Chief Executive at Kaleidoscope Plus Group.

Education
Shafaq holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Birmingham University and master's degree in Housing from De Montfort University.

Career
After her graduation from the university, Shafaq undertook various roles including working as security personnel at Birningham International Convention Centre; in the departures lounge at Birmingham Airport and then a more regular job as the manager of an Asian Women's Refuge. She then moved to the housing sector where she was a Housing Officer (at an organisation called Friendship Housing which no longer exists) she then secured a Regional Manager job at another housing association called Asra Midlands where she oversaw general needs and sheltered accommodation across the West Midlands.

Shafaq become Housing Services Manager at Accord Housing Association. She secured a promotion and became Head of Neighbourhood Services overseeing all general needs accommodation as well as some specialist provision. This is where her interest in mental health developed. She then went to work as the CEO at Sandwell Mind, a small mental health charity that was affiliated to the national Mind network. It is under her leadership that Sandwell Mind was rebranded and became the Kaleidoscope Plus Group form 2014 onwards. She is currently the CEO at Gordon Moody. She's appointed to Manchester United Foundation's board.