Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Meet Hira, founder of Oushk - here’s how she’s supporting women and their wellbeing

When Hira founded Oushk, she set out to create the kind of honest, stigma-free wellbeing support she wished existed.

By Rebecca Roberts | Last updated Dec 15, 2025

Advertisement Feature This article has been Created by
Founder of Oushk, Hira, on the phone

These days, many women feel unsupported in their wellbeing journey, particularly when navigating transitions like post-birth health. From hormonal changes to energy imbalances, it’s easy to feel isolated. This is where Oushk steps in, offering a supportive space where women’s needs are met with understanding, not pressure. Whether it’s navigating postnatal health or adjusting to new lifestyle rhythms, Oushk helps women feel seen and empowered. 

In fact, Oushk’s approach has earned a glowing review from Mumsnet testers, with 100% of testers saying they would recommend the service to a friend.

Meet Hira, the woman behind Oushk

Warm, empathetic and deeply motivated by her own experiences, Hira’s journey to founding Oushk comes from a place of personal and professional commitment. 

With years of experience in community pharmacy, Hira became acutely aware of a gap in care - patients, especially women, felt processed rather than truly heard. This prompted her to establish Oushk, a space built on personal connections, ongoing support and a commitment to listening first. 

MNHQ: What inspired you to start Oushk?

Hira:

"I spent years working in community pharmacy and kept seeing the same pattern: people weren’t being heard. Whether it was weight management, skin concerns, or hormonal issues, most patients felt they were being processed rather than cared for. I wanted to create something different.”

MNHQ: Did anything in your own life lead you to create it?

Hira: 

"Yes, very much so. At 18 years old, I believed I might have PCOS and went to my GP for help. I was told there wasn’t much that could be done and to come back if I struggled to conceive in the future. As a young woman just seeking answers, I left feeling dismissed and powerless, as though my only option was to suffer long term. 

“That experience stayed with me. It showed me how damaging it is when people are made to feel unheard and how important empathy is in healthcare. Oushk was built on that promise that no patient should ever feel ignored or left without options."

Three women are stood next to each other looking at the camera

Designed with women in mind, Oushk supports your wellbeing

MNHQ: What’s the main thing you wanted Oushk to offer that was missing elsewhere?

Hira:

“Personalisation, education, and genuine involvement of patients in their own care. Too often, healthcare feels one-sided, where people are told what to do without being part of the decision. 

“At Oushk, we involve patients every step of the way. We take time to explain the science behind treatment(s) and encourage open, honest conversations about progress, side effects, and emotions.”

MNHQ: What are some of the common struggles patients tell you about? 

Hira:

“Many of our patients tell us they’ve spent years trying to manage their health alone. They’ve followed diets, exercise plans, and advice from every direction, yet nothing seems to work long term. Others have been dismissed or made to feel at fault when they’ve sought help before. 

“The most common struggles we hear about are frustration, confusion and exhaustion. People want to understand why they feel the way they do and what will finally make a difference. 

“At Oushk, our job is to replace that frustration with clarity and confidence by helping patients see that their challenges are valid and can be managed safely with the right approach.”

MNHQ: You’ve mentioned hormones before. What do you think people should know about them? 

Hira:

“Hormones influence almost everything - mood, energy, appetite, and weight regulation. Even small imbalances can affect how someone feels day to day. Understanding that it’s biological, not a matter of willpower, helps patients make sense of their symptoms and approach treatment without guilt. 

“For many people, once they learn how hormones interact with lifestyle, stress, and sleep, things begin to click into place. It becomes less about restriction and more about balance and awareness.”

MNHQ: Do you think there’s still a stigma around talking about health concerns?

Hira:

“Yes, but it’s slowly improving. Many people still feel uncomfortable talking about topics like weight, appetite, or mental health because they fear judgment. That’s one of the main reasons Oushk exists. We want to create a space where patients can talk openly and ask questions without feeling embarrassed or dismissed. 

“By starting these conversations, we help break down stigma. Once people realise how common these experiences are, they begin to approach their health with more compassion and curiosity rather than shame.” 

MNHQ: How does Oushk support patients day to day?

Hira:

"We focus on building long-term relationships with our patients so they feel guided, understood, and cared for at every stage of their journey. We have launched Oushk Nutrition, an in-house programme that teaches patients about sustainable eating, protein intake, and the role of nutrition. 

“Alongside this, we have created an online community platform - a safe space where patients can connect, share experiences, and learn from experts. Through this community, we host live sessions with professionals across different fields, including personal trainers, menopause specialists, mental health practitioners, and metabolic educators.”


Hira answers Mumsnet user questions

To celebrate Oushk’s Mumsnet Rated win, Hira answered user questions about women’s health. You can read the full thread here, and here’s a preview for you: 

“Hi there. I am mid forties and find it's generally harder to maintain a healthy weight than when I was younger. For my height and weight (5ft 4, 9 stone) I eat between 1700-1900 calories per day to maintain. My question is does it make a difference if I follow a low carb diet? Or is it better to have a balance? Thanks!” Eurotrotter

Hira’s response: 


MNHQ: What kind of feedback have you had from patients using the service?

Hira: 

“The feedback we receive is incredibly moving. The most common phrase we hear is, 'I finally feel like someone listened.' Patients often tell us they feel more supported, more confident, and more in control of their health than ever before. 

“We’ve had people say that Oushk has helped them rebuild their relationship with food, regain self-esteem, and understand their body for the first time. That kind of feedback means everything to us. It reminds us that what we’re doing truly makes a difference.”

MNHQ: What would you say to someone who feels unsure about asking for help with their wellbeing?

Hira:

“You do not need to have everything figured out before seeking help. Asking for support is not a weakness; it is an act of self-respect. Sometimes the hardest step is admitting that you deserve to feel better. Once you take that first step, everything becomes clearer. 

“Our team will guide you, explain each stage, and ensure you always understand what is happening and why. You are never on this journey alone.”

MNHQ: If there’s one thing you could share with people about looking after their wellbeing, what would it be?

Hira:

“Be curious, not critical, about your body. Health is not a quick fix; it is a long-term relationship with yourself. Learn to understand what your body is telling you and treat it with patience and respect. 

“Progress does not have to be perfect to be powerful. Every small step you take towards caring for yourself matters.”

Real feedback from real women

The feedback Oushk has received highlights what many women long for in a wellbeing service - empathy and genuine care. Testimonials from our Mumsnet testers shared include sentiments like: 

  • “I felt really listened to.”

  • “The support felt warm and non-judgemental.”

  • “It helped me feel more confident in making decisions about my health.”

Such feedback reaffirms the mission of Oushk: to empower women by providing space for clarity and the freedom to make decisions that are best for them. 

About Oushk

Oushk Pharmacy is a patient-first, pharmacist-led pharmacy specialising in expert care with personalised support to help you feel your best - safely and confidently. Behind Oushk is a passionate team of clinicians who believe healthcare should be personal, accessible, and rooted in real relationships. From consultation to aftercare, we offer transparency, clinical excellence and a community that supports you.

About the author

Our resident Leeds lass, Rebecca Roberts is a Senior Content Editor here at Mumsnet. On a daily basis, she commissions, writes and edits content designed to help parents navigate real life - from product reviews to practical features on everything from sex and relationships to kettles and air fryers.

Beyond her role as an editor, she can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.