I am Baljeet Baba, the founder of
WINGS
SUCCESSFUL AGEING-CIC.
WOMEN HORMONES AND HEALTH
My journey began in India, where I was raised by forward-thinking parents who encouraged me to pursue education and independence, an opportunity not always afforded to women in traditional households. My father’s 24-year career in the Indian Army exposed me to a wide array of cultures and experiences as we travelled throughout India and beyond. This early exposure to different ways of life ignited my passion for human connection and learning, which would later define my life’s mission.
In pursuit of broader horizons, I moved to Canada to earn my second Master’s degree. While there, I took on a role helping to establish educational institutions, driven by my deep belief that education is the cornerstone of empowerment. However, my time in Canada brought more than academic growth. I noticed a pervasive loneliness, especially among the elderly Asian community. Their sense of isolation struck a chord with me, staying with me long after I left.
In 2008, after getting married, I moved to the UK, where my life took a new turn. While raising my daughters, I faced postnatal depression, experiencing a profound loneliness despite having the love and support of my husband and his family. This period of personal struggle resonated deeply with the sense of isolation I had observed in Canada. The seed was planted: I wanted to address loneliness in the community, starting with new mothers who, like me, might feel isolated.
This passion led me to create a postnatal support group to help new mothers feel connected and supported during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. As the group grew, so did my understanding of the broader issue of loneliness, particularly among retired citizens. I realized that loneliness was not just an emotional burden but a critical health issue. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my mission: to tackle isolation head-on, especially among senior adults in the BAME community.
Thus, SUCCESSFUL AGEING-CIC was born. With a holistic approach that targets physical, mental, and emotional well-being, I aimed to shift the narrative around self-care and community connection. Our Friday sessions in Sutton Coldfield have grown tremendously, with senior adults reporting significant improvements in their overall wellness. The project’s success has been made possible by the generous support of local funding bodies like NNS and SCCT.
Part time, I started teaching in Aston University, Building on this momentum, my team and I launched another initiative—WOMEN, HORMONES, AND HEALTH. Supported by SCCT, this project focuses on raising awareness about perimenopause and menopause. By providing participants with evidence-based information and practical tools, we empower women to have open conversations at home and in the workplace, helping them navigate this crucial life stage with confidence.
While my community work continues to expand, I have also channelled my passion for uplifting lives into my leadership and wellness business, WINGS: Transforming Lives. Through WINGS, I deliver leadership and employee wellness programs to small to medium businesses that focus on transforming workplace culture by fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and holistic well-being. With my background as a lecturer in biology, physiology, and neuroscience, I use science-backed methods to equip individuals and organisations with the tools they need to thrive which helps to bring change in performance and productivity at work.
Through SUCCESSFUL AGEING, WOMEN, HORMONES, AND HEALTH, and WINGS, my mission remains the same: to transform lives by fostering connection, well-being, and personal growth.