The founder of an Ashington based charity has won a national entrepreneur award. 
 

Fareeha Usman, set up Being Woman to empower women and wider community with the knowledge, skills and confidence to challenge all forms of discrimination and prejudice in society.   
 

She has now picked up the Entrepreneur for Good Award for the North East at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. 
 

Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet. 
 

The Entrepreneur for Good Award is designed to celebrate businesses and founders whose primary focus is having a positive impact on the world, creating social and environmental change, rather than building wealth. 
 

Fareeha set up the charity in 2018, providing its services in the areas of Ashington, Blyth, Bedlington, Choppington, Lynemouth, Newbiggin, and Seaton Delaval. She wanted to amplify the voices of the underrepresented communities with a focus on BAME communities in Northumberland.

The aim of the charity is to create a safe space for everyone to adventure, create and explore their true selves where nobody feels the need to fake it to fit in. The charity works to promote social and digital inclusion by promoting equality and diversity in Northumberland.   
 

Throughout the Covid19 pandemic Fareeha has been working and supporting the work of Northumberland County Council’s, Northumberland Communities Together (NCT) initiative by continuing to support those in BAME communities. 
 

She said: “I am honoured to have received this award. It is a huge achievement for me but also for the charity and helps to shine a light on what is happening in Northumberland. 
 

"I have been a keen supporter of the Northumberland Communities Together initiative which is supporting those most in need in our county. I am so proud of the work we do in this county and how everyone pulls together in a time of need. This year in particular has shown the true spirit of community and the good that is in everyone to help each other. 
 

“I want to live in a world where women and girls have the courage and freedom to dream boldly, love passionately and live authentically. And I am going to help create that world with everything I've got!” 
 

Cllr Veronica Jones, cabinet member for NCT at the council, said: “Congratulations to Fareeha on this worthy award. The work she, and the charity, has been doing in our communities, not just during Covid, is exemplary.

"She is a real inspiration to us all but especially to those communities in which she is working. As a council we are committed to creating a place to live and work which is diverse and accessible to all and we will continue to work with organisations such as Being Woman to achieve this.” 
 

The winners of each category will now go to the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, with a date to be announced due to restrictions on large events. 
 

Earlier this year Fareeha also picked up the We are the City Rising Award 2020 for Charity and Non-profit Category.