peer
connect
A confidential one-to-one conversation with someone who understands.
Please give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. If you miss a call without letting us know, we may not be able to rebook it.
Are you feeling lost, overwhelmed, seeking guidance, or simply in need of a friendly conversation? Our one-to-one peer support service is here for you, offering a safe and welcoming space to talk.
Our volunteers listen without judgement, offer support and encouragement, and can help you access further resources where appropriate. They understand that embracing a new faith can bring questions, adjustments and new experiences.
Sometimes people need answers. More often, they simply need someone to listen.
Who is Peer Connect for?
Peer Connect may help if you:
- are exploring Islam and have questions
- have recently become Muslim, or have been Muslim for years and still feel on the outside
- have felt isolated since converting
- have family who aren’t supportive
- have questions about marriage or relationships
- are struggling with prayer, belief or finding your feet in the faith
- are trying to separate cultural expectations from Islamic ones
- simply need someone to talk to
What to expect
- A one-off conversation of up to an hour, by phone or video call
- Someone who’ll listen without judgement (most of our volunteers are converts themselves)
- Space to talk through what’s on your mind and work out your next step
- Pointers to further support and resources where they’d help
- Confidentiality: what you share stays between you and your volunteer, unless we’re worried about your safety or someone else’s
What Peer Connect isn’t
- Counselling or therapy (if it would help, your volunteer can talk to you about a referral to one of our counsellors)
- Formal religious teaching (see our classes)
- Crisis support: if you’re in danger, call 999. To talk to someone any time, call Samaritans free on 116 123.
- Legal or medical advice
Want more support afterwards? You can book another call after three months, or ask your volunteer about a referral to one of our counsellors. Find out more on our wellbeing page.
Participant Feedback
It was reassuring to speak to someone who understood my situation. I left feeling listened to, supported and much more positive.
Anonymous
Peer Connect provided a safe space to talk openly without judgement. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.
Anonymous
The conversation reminded me that I wasn't alone and helped me feel more confident moving forward. Speaking to somebody who understood the convert experience made a huge difference.
Anonymous
Aisha Jasuleviciute
Mental Health Practitioner · Muslim since 2006
Lithuanian British convert who embraced Islam in 2006 and founded Aisha's Sukoon, a safe haven for convert women leaving toxic relationships. A Muslim mental health practitioner and relationship recovery coach with an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King's College London.
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Aisha's journey to Islam began in 2006 when she embraced the faith from Christianity as a Lithuanian British convert. This experience led her to found Aisha's Sukoon, a safehaven for convert women overcoming toxic relationships. Passionate about interfaith understanding, she supports women in reclaiming their power and building a future filled with peace and happiness.
She holds an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King's College London. Aisha's research focuses on the factors affecting Muslim women experiencing domestic violence, particularly spiritual abuse.
A vivid athlete and outdoors enthusiast, Aisha is now a Muslim mental health practitioner, relationship recovery coach and a public speaker. She also provides support to men, couples, and offers parenting advice. A mother of 3 and an advocate for mental health, she enjoys connecting with her community, offering guidance, and providing resources to those on their healing journeys.
Zaheda Khan
Life Coach
Life coach trained in the Quranic Science of the nafs coaching modality, supporting Muslim women with their spiritual, psychological and physical wellbeing. She is committed to helping women move past what has held them back and live a fulfilling, purposeful life.
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Zaheda is trained in the Quranic Science of the nafs coaching modality, a therapeutic approach designed to support and empower Muslim women. This method focuses on three key areas of life: spiritual connection, psychological experiences, and somatic health or physiology. She is committed to helping women not just survive, but thrive, by overcoming what has held them back and embracing a fulfilling, purposeful life.
She enjoys spending time outdoors, whether going for walks or exploring hikes with her family. Passionate about supporting children, she volunteers to help those from chaotic family homes or with special needs, providing them with a peaceful escape through activities like library visits, park outings, and crafts. In her downtime, she loves discovering charming cafes and indulging her sweet tooth with delicious desserts.
Kaysha Francis
Social Worker · Muslim since 2022
Social worker from London who became Muslim in 2022, having first discovered Islam at 17. Seven years supporting people through homelessness, substance misuse, adoption and fostering, with a person-centred approach.
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Kaysha is a social worker from London who embraced Islam on February 25th 2022 after discovering the faith at the age of 17 and spending years exploring its teachings. Her decision to become Muslim has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life, though not without challenges. However, with patience and a strong support system, Kaysha has gradually found her way at a pace that suits her.
Being a social worker for seven years, Kaysha has dedicated her career to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society. She has worked in areas such as substance misuse, homelessness, adoption, and fostering, each of which demands a unique set of skills and deep understanding. Her approach is person-centred, as she believes that individuals are the experts of their own lives, having lived through their experiences.
Her hobbies are make-up, fashion, food, and travel.
Millie
Teacher & Researcher · Muslim since 2023
Became Muslim in 2023. A teacher, researcher and businesswoman who believes converts need time, space and non-judgemental community support to grow confident in their identity as Muslims.
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Millie converted to Islam in 2023. She is a teacher, research consultant, and businesswoman. As a qualitative researcher, she specialises in arts, health and wellbeing, with her doctoral research exploring the use of arts-based interventions with women in the postnatal period. She is passionate about using empowering, collaborative approaches to support and develop individuals and communities through education and creativity. Millie believes that each of us is on our own spiritual journey, with converts needing time, space, and non-judgmental community support to feel confident stepping into their identity as Muslims.
Millie lives with her husband and is stepmum to three train-obsessed, football-loving boys. A trained dancer, she loves going to the theatre, staying active at the gym, and finding ways to stay well through movement. At home, she loves nothing more than spending an afternoon being creative in the kitchen and then sitting around the table with friends and family enjoying food from diverse cultures and cuisines and spending time with her cat "Jaffa".
Jodie Wozencroft-Reay
CBT Psychotherapist · Muslim convert
Cognitive behaviour psychotherapist and Muslim convert of several years, using a faith-based approach. Over nine years in mental health therapy across charities, local authorities and the NHS, with particular experience supporting neurodivergent people.
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Jodie is a cognitive behaviour psychotherapist, using a faith-based approach, and Muslim convert of several years. She is
passionate about helping people and has
worked with people of all ages for over 14 years, specifically in mental health therapy for over 9 years within the third sector (charities), local authorities, and the NHS. She values working with women who struggle with worry, low self-esteem or those who are self-critical. She has significant experience and interest in working with neurodiverse people, in particular those who are Autistic or have ADHD.
She's a loving mum and wife who loves baking, crafting, and reading.
Giles Dhabalia
Retired Psychotherapist · Muslim since 2022
Became Muslim in 2022 after many years as a practising Catholic. A retired psychotherapist, family therapist and social worker, especially interested in how converts bring the different parts of their identity together.
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Giles converted to Islam in 2022 after many years as a practicing Catholic. He is a retired Psychotherapist, Family Therapist and Social Worker. After training at the Institute of Psychiatry, London; he has worked mainly in NHS or Local authority settings; specialising in child and adolescent mental health and family-based interventions.
Giles is especially interested in intersectionality and how converts to Islam integrate other aspects of identity leading to healing and wholeness for themselves and those closest to them. He is of dual heritage seeing himself as ‘both not half’.
Ready to talk?
Book a confidential one-to-one conversation with one of our team.
Please give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. If you miss a call without letting us know, we may not be able to rebook it.