To celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, here is a story told from the point of view of the woman who inspired ACT Care Support Limited. Shurerban Simms is the driving passion and the inspiration behind the organisation.
The Inspiration Behind ACT Care Support Limited
My journey to this point in my life has not been an easy one. However, the trials and tribulations I have faced have shaped me into the woman I am today. I am independent, resilient and strong willed. I am full of determination when it comes to achieving and succeeding in everything I set out to do.
This is a brief background of how far I have come. I was born just after the war. My father was believed to be an Arab because of our names. My mother was Caucasian and came from West Bromwich. My brother and I are twins and we were born in West Ham, London.
Although there is no documented address, it is assumed that my mother was living in London with my father. At some point, my mother moved back to West Bromwich and was later admitted to a mental hospital in Lichfield. I believe she may have suffered from postnatal depression. Raising twins while being away from her family would have taken its toll and likely led to my parents going their separate ways.
Life in the Children’s Home
My twin brother and I spent our childhood in a care home in West Bromwich. The home housed four to five children, most of whom were orphans or born from unwanted pregnancies.
Looking back, we were treated like a business rather than children. We were never loved, never complimented, never encouraged and never hugged. We were simply watered, fed, clothed and given shelter. No one ever visited us. No one came to parents evening, showed interest in how we were doing at school or attended our sports day.
Nothing was wasted in the home. If you did not like a meal or failed to finish it, you would receive the same food again the next day. Treats such as cream cakes or doughnuts were unheard of.
My memories of the children’s home are not pleasant. The experience affected my brother and me differently. My brother struggled to show love and trust people. I was similar. Because I was never shown love, I found it hard to express it. I had emotions but did not know how to trust them or relate to what I was feeling.
The Day We Were Told About Our Mother
When we were about eleven years old, my brother and I were called into the office at the care home. In a matter-of-fact tone, we were told that our mother was still alive. We were in total shock. Until that moment, we believed she was dead. For all those years, we thought it was just the two of us.
Being Fostered Out
I was fostered out twice to families with the intention of adoption. On both occasions, I asked to return to the home. The first family treated me like a servant, constantly carrying and fetching things while the wife walked around empty handed.
The second family introduced me as the young boy’s new black sister, as though I were a showpiece. This behaviour was no different from how we were treated in the home. We were cared for but never loved.
Released into the Big Wide World
When my brother and I turned sixteen, we were released from the home and told to move on. There was no preparation, no support and no guidance. We were simply told we were on our own.
I felt a strong passion to support other children and young people experiencing the same system I had endured. I moved to Weston Super Mare and worked with children with Down’s syndrome and disabilities. I later left to pursue nursing training at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. During my training, I had my son. Times were very hard. There were days when I had no food and survived on a bag of chips. I did not realise I could get help from social services, so I struggled alone. Eventually, I found work in the maternity department at City Hospital on Dudley Road.
Meeting My Mother for the First Time
I was eventually able to visit my mother in Lichfield. She was a tall woman who would run from room to room telling everyone that her daughter was there. That was how excited she became each time I visited.
My son David loved football deeply. As a mother, I did everything I could to support his passion. I took him to training and washed and ironed the kits for the entire team. Although I was raising a challenging son on my own, I did everything in my power to ensure he never went without.
Despite my struggles, I never gave up. I met amazing people who gave me hope for a better life. Their support kept me going. I realised I could become much more, and I was determined to do so. I returned to college to complete my Community Nursing Certificate.
We lived in a rented room for more than five years, sharing a kitchen and bathroom. We later moved into council housing, where we lived for fifteen years. While working in the community, I was able to buy my first house. I later purchased another house in West Bromwich.
Inspired by a Mother’s Love
My journey inspired my son. His commitment is that no child should ever suffer what I suffered. His mission is to ensure that any child in need has a place to be loved and supported. This is the foundation upon which ACT Care Support was created.
💬 Why Choose Act Care
- Outcome-focused care that reduces dependency.
- Safe, stable placements with therapeutic support.
- Collaborative working with professionals and families.
- Respectful, inclusive culture that values every individual.
📞 Get in Touch
We welcome referrals and enquiries from commissioning teams, social workers and local authorities.
📞 +44 07401 131547 | 📧 referrals@actcare.co.uk | 📧 info@actcare.co.uk | 🌐 actcare.co.uk
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