Neelam Heera-Shergill is a TEDx speaker, award-winning advocate, and founder of Cysters, a grassroots organisation dedicated to tackling health inequalities and amplifying the voices of marginalised communities.
Her journey began with deeply personal experiences: navigating the challenges of PCOS, Endometriosis, PMDD, and, later, recurrent miscarriages. Confronted with a healthcare system that too often dismissed or trivialised reproductive health concerns, Neelam recognised how these barriers were compounded for people of colour, those living at the intersections of gender and identity, and communities already excluded from mainstream health conversations.
This lived reality ignited Neelam’s mission to create change. She founded Cysters as a safe, inclusive space where reproductive and mental health could be openly discussed without stigma, shame, or judgment. What started as a small peer-support initiative has since grown into a respected organisation, recognised for its intersectional approach and for ensuring that solutions are co-created with the very communities they aim to serve.
At the heart of Neelam’s leadership is a commitment to reclaiming narratives. She challenges the impact of patriarchy, outdated cultural practices, and the dominance of male-led medical spaces that have historically silenced women and marginalised people. By centring lived experience, Cysters pushes for better awareness, research, and resources that reflect the realities of those too often overlooked. The organisation has worked with individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to ensure systemic change is both informed and inclusive.
Cysters’ impact extends beyond awareness-raising. Through community-led workshops, campaigns, and partnerships, the organisation is actively dismantling taboos around menstrual, reproductive, and maternal health. Cysters has become a trusted partner in advocacy, policy discussions, and research collaborations, continually amplifying grassroots voices to shape national and local health priorities.
Neelam’s dedication has earned her national recognition. She has been honoured with a Pride of Britain Award, a Point of Light Award from the Prime Minister, and was named one of Birmingham’s 30 under 30 for her contributions to social change. Beyond awards, her influence can be seen in her collaborative work: she serves as part of the Birmingham Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership and runs the Maternity Justice Network, where she champions inclusive maternity care and advocates for families who have long been excluded from decision-making.
For Neelam, Cysters is more than a charity; it is a movement to challenge silence, reclaim agency, and demand equity in healthcare. Her vision is clear: a world where everyone, regardless of race, gender, identity, or background, has equal access to compassionate, informed, and culturally competent healthcare.
By bridging grassroots voices with systemic change, Neelam and Cysters continue to drive forward a new narrative, one rooted in justice, inclusion, and community-led solutions.
When asked about the meaning of anti-racism, Naleem says:
“Anti-racism is about using the privileges that we have to dismantle the systems of oppression that are targeting people of colour, migrants, and all those who are marginalised.”
