About us

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Shiva has many roles within our organisation, as co-founder she registered our charity in 2024 and has been managing director since. 

When she was a teenager the 1980 war in Iran forced her family to leave behind everyone and everything, they had known and loved. Although the future was uncertain, they found safety in Turkey.  

Guided by her late father, Dr Yahya Shasavari who helped many young people rebuild their lives back home with the belief young adults can support and lift each other up through connection with one another and shared learning. Co-designed by her sister, Shiva is deeply committed to ensuring young unaccompanied asylum seekers have every opportunity to learn, grow and belong through YAHYAS Hub. 

Empathising with how it must feel to be a young person seeking safety and finding belonging in a new country alone. 

Our chair, Lynne Staples-Scott, joined Yahyas in 2025 after running a series of glass and wood craft workshops for young asylum seekers with her husband. Lynne has a background in corporate social responsibility and external affairs as well a wealth of experience in charitable and not for profit governance. Her experience in a leadership position within large corporate organisation as well as public organisations, has given her a love of making things happen and a keen desire to make a difference for the people and community around her. 

"Yahyas might currently be a small charity but it has a huge heart," says Lynne, "which is one of the reasons I joined the Board and then agreed to take on being Chair. Engaging with young asylum seekers and refugees has been a joyous and eye opening experience so far. They are so full of hope and positivity, and are keen to make a real contribution to the communities they find themselves in. Yahyas ambition to help them integrate and feel safe and at home here in NE Scotland speaks very much to my heart and I hope I can help, in a small way, to steer the charity alongside our wonderful Board of Trustees and to help it grow and receive the recognition it so richly deserves

Elaine grew up in a working-class family in a rural coal mining community in the South-West of Scotland, where she was taught from a young age to respect all living things and to care for nature, wildlife, the environment, and the people around her. Those values of community, compassion and responsibility shaped her life and the way she raised her two children. She moved to Aberdeen to attend University during a difficult period in the UK, when coal mines were closing, unemployment was rising sharply, and youth homelessness increased as welfare support for 16–18-year-olds was withdrawn. 

Following her studies, she began working with young homeless people and went on to dedicate her career to supporting children and young people. She worked as a social worker in various roles with Aberdeenshire Council for 35 years and is now retired. She has always believed in the Scottish saying, “we are all Jock Tamson’s bairns” — meaning that we are all one human family — and her personal and professional values reflect that belief. Elaine states that; anyone who chooses to live in Scotland should be treated with dignity, respect and supported as part of their community. 

Karina is a Trustee of YAHYAS Hub, bringing experience across community development, climate justice and participatory leadership. She currently works with Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC), leading the No Recourse North East Lived Experience Panel and coordinating participation across the No Recourse North East Partnership to ensure lived experience informs policy, services and practice. 

Previously, Karina worked with NESCAN as Project Officer, embedding inclusive and equitable practice across community assemblies in North East Scotland and contributing to monitoring, evaluation and learning for the Just Transition Communities Project. She is also part of Grassroots to Global, contributing to international dialogues on democracy, justice and community empowerment. 

Originally from Peru, Karina brings a relational, culturally grounded and creative approach, committed to ensuring young people have voice, confidence and meaningful opportunities to lead and thrive. 

Pouya was forced to leave his country Kurdistan. In May 2025 he arrived in Aberdeen, seeking refuge. When he came to Hampton by Hilton in Westhill, Aberdeenshire he was introduced to YAHYAS Hub. 

“I attended their workshops which helped with integrating with the community and other young people. I then started helping other young adults at workshops develop self-confidence, hope, trust and other skills because I know how hard it is to be away from your country and loved ones. 

Through volunteering and skill building workshops I felt safe, welcomed and started studying and getting more responsibilities in the community. I have now been granted residency and want to build a successful life. 

I want to help more young people through YAHYAS Hub and be a role model for those who want to build a successful life.”