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Tag: 2020

A Masterclass with Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell Property

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation

I was particularly looking forward to hearing from Donal Mulryan, and was curious to know why he chooses to support Patchwork and in turn individuals like myself. I was worried that because it was virtual, we were missing out on the whole interpersonal experience, but little did I know what was about to come would be so much more.

When I asked him about how he was dealing with the pandemic situation and how he remains consistent, Mr Mulryan said, “Nothing has changed!”. He mentioned how Covid was another obstacle amongst so many he has faced over the years and that they will overcome it. Come what may, he said, remain passionate about your dreams.

The talk and all the responses from him had one main theme and I truly think Mr Mulryan does live by this ethos: passion, perseverance and pride. He shared with us his experiences, his journey and why he chose to become an entrepreneur. As the founder of Rockwell Property, he has achieved significant success, but his perception of success is not only limited to financial profits. He believes in leaving behind a legacy, creating jobs and improving the community around the building.

I can never look at a building as a few bricks and mortar anymore, it is so much more.

Overall, this session not only cemented my views of facing difficult situations, it has also reminded me of how important being truly passionate towards something really is. It also displays that whatever happens in life one should not lose sight of their passion and how important resilience is. The session has truly inspired myself and, I am, sure all the other Patchworkers that joined.

I could not have imagined the session going any better. I would really like to thank Mr Mulryan for taking out the time to speak to us and special thanks to fellow Patchworker Nick for his excellent chairing.

 

Written by Shaikh Asnain

2020 Masterclass Programme Participant

 

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Before the masterclass even started, it was told that last year’s cohort particularly praised the session led by Donal Mulryan. Given that he is also a patron of Patchwork Foundation, I was quite eager to hear what he had to say given the sector he works for. Patchwork is all about making politics and democracy more accessible to marginalised groups of society and considering Mr Mulryan works in construction and property development, it wasn’t an immediate connection most people think of.

We began the masterclass like all of the others; preparation beforehand. This meant research. I was thoroughly impressed with how Rockwell, a construction and property development company, exhibited social responsibility and community engagement. What sets aside Mr Mulryan’s company was the ethics and values behind the company’s founding. Each project is followed up by creating sustainable relationships with the immediate community and engaging stakeholders at all levels. This is regularly followed up and the company constantly “reinvests” into the local communities that they are based in. Naturally, I was quite keen to understand how Mr Mulryan came to this position given the industry that he’s in.

Reflecting back, I think one of the reasons this masterclass has left a lasting mark for me, and in some ways was made more impactful, is because of Mr Mulryan’s articulation of his journey. It didn’t feel like a Q&A session or a tutor speaking to us. It was simply an honest account of Mr Mulryan’s humble beginnings to how he got to where he was.

One thing he emphasised repeatedly was the concept of leaving a legacy behind. He explained that each of us are able to do so and we need to figure out how it is we want this to manifest in our lives. For him, he enjoyed architecture and wanted to leave behind a tangible, physical legacy which meant that the pathway into property was a no-brainer to him.

Given his vision from a young age, the questions we asked really supplemented his points. We asked him about setbacks he faced and how he dealt with them.  Most answers seemed really simple. Things like you don’t know how to deal with a situation until you’ve faced it,and when you face challenges, you learn from them and can use the lessons learnt to adapt in the next situation. He compared the previous recessions to the current COVID-19 pandemic and explained how there were elements from his past experiences which had helped him steer his company during this time, along with new unprecedented challenges that he will learn from and be more prepared for in the future.

I didn’t get to ask my question which I was quite gutted about. I wanted to ask what he would change if he were to start all over again with the knowledge he has now. For someone with a vision like his, I suspect there are lots of things he would prioritise differently to realise his vision. Nonetheless, the questions he answered eluded to what I think his advice would be. Learn from challenges whilst constantly working towards a clear goal and don’t be afraid to take risks.

I think this masterclass will resonate with me for a long time because of Mr Mulryan taking us all on a journey through his past to where he is now, rather than a lecture. If anything, this felt like an advice session with someone who is mentoring you rather than a tutor and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

Written by Redwan Shahid

2020 Masterclass Programme Participant

Politics amidst a pandemic

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation

In a ‘new normal’, where we are socially, or rather physically distant, we found a new way to be politically close. By this, I don’t mean being close in our political views – rather, coming together virtually to learn the process behind democracy, hearing from speakers from various political backgrounds and sharing insights in unprecedented times. I am a participant in the Patchwork Foundation programme, who encourage and support the active participation of young people from diverse communities in British democracy and civil society. This year, during a global pandemic, I experienced sessions on Google Hangouts, learning about politics, campaigning and much more. This strange, yet exciting experience has been bizarre, to say the least, but rewarding nonetheless.

My experience with Patchwork Foundation stems from a few years ago, when I stumbled across the organisation and through them was able to meet the heroes who served with Nelson Mandela. Speaking to individuals who actively fought against the apartheid, instilled a hunger inside me for activism – to make a real change in this world. Their words around overcoming injustice still ring in my ears in the aftermath of George Flloyd’s murder. We have moved from apartheid to insititutional racism – proving that now, more than ever, there is a deep need for young people who are politically savvy to be the leaders of tomorrow, to create change.

Now, as a ‘Patchworker’ in their Masterclass programme, I have the opportunity to hear from world-class speakers. A few months ago, we had our induction session in parliament. I was buzzing, surrounded by wonderful individuals, ready to be challenged in a political programme. That was the first, and only, time thus far that our cohort has met in person. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that we would be thrown into a world where a virus would stop us in our tracks. After the initial uncertainty, I was delighted to hear that Patchwork Foundation would be moving to an online platform.

Our first Masterclass session was with Yael Lempert, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in London. Although we were not physically present together, I felt her powerful presence through her online talk. She spoke in a raw and honest way, taking us through a journey of her past and how she reached this esteemed position in her career. It was a great honour to hear her insights – seeing a woman, in what is typically a male-dominated world, thrive and succeed is inspirational. She shared many nuggets of wisdom, such as her advice on finding a job that sparks your passion and going for it – she said that somebody has to get the job, so why not you? It is similar advice that my mum gives me – if you don’t apply, you won’t get it! The thing which stuck with me the most however, was when she told us the importance of speaking truth to power. That is something I live my life by and I hope that by participating in this Masterclass programme, I will gain the skills to be able to effectively communicate the hard truths to people in positions of power.

Written by Haleema Ali

 

 

Votes now open for the People’s Choice MP of the Year Awards 2020

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation
Each year MPs across the country work closely with disadvantaged and underrepresented communities, ensuring they are supported.

The Awards are determined in two ways. The first are Judge’s Awards, chosen by an independent panel of judges. The second looks to the public to determine the winners of the People’s Choice Awards.

Please vote for your chosen MP from the shortlisted MPs below. Please note you can only vote once – the first vote you cast shall be taken forward, and any duplicate votes shall not be counted.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open until midnight 30th August 2020. Winners shall be announced at the Awards Ceremony towards the end of the year

Flint Global to champion development of young people in collaboration with the Patchwork Foundation

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation

Flint Global Ltd has today formally announced its support for the Patchwork Foundation’s 10-month 2020 Masterclass programme.

The programme equips 30 young people from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds each year with the skills and confidence to actively participate in democracy and civil society and inspire careers in government and the public sector.

The cohort of young people [shall] take part in a range of sessions, tutored by Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, government ministers, business leaders and distinguished journalists. The programme covers a series of themes including leadership, media and journalism, campaigning and policymaking.

Founded in 2011, The Patchwork Foundation is a UK-based charity committed to strengthening democracy by engaging with young people from traditionally underrepresented communities. In previous years, many graduates of the programme have gone on to work in politics, charities and the private sector or pursued further education with the support of the Foundation.

Flint Global is a business advisory firm that helps its clients succeed in an increasingly complex world, managing risk and creating opportunity. Flint provides advice at the point where government and business meet, offering an authoritative perspective on both. Flint are experts in policy, political analysis, regulation and competition.

Flint Global Managing Partners Simon Fraser and Ed Richards, said

“The Patchwork Foundation is a remarkable charity that helps young people reach their full potential and participate actively in public life. Individuals at Flint have been associated with Patchwork over several years and have seen at first-hand the positive impact of its programmes on the expectations and achievements of participants. We support Patchwork’s aspiration to make politics, business and public life in the UK inclusive and accessible. Our partnership with Patchwork will allow the Flint team to engage with a group of 30 talented young people in 2020 to support their growth and development.”

Imran Sanaullah, Chief Executive, Patchwork Foundation, said:

“We are delighted that Flint Global will be supporting our 2020 Masterclass Programme, enabling a cohort of young people across the country to access politics and further their personal and professional development. Sir Simon Fraser and the Flint team have been supporting the Foundation from the start, and we look forward to working even closer together. Their support and expertise will no doubt enable us to further champion our young people and create meaningful opportunities for them.”

“Do Not Despair, Keep Trying” – A Masterclass with Yael Lempert

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation

“Do not despair, keep trying.” – A key statement I picked up during a Patchwork Foundation Masterclass with the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Yael Lempert.

Ms Lempert is a remarkable woman with an equally remarkable career. I was very excited to get the chance to (virtually) meet Ms Lempert and hear all that she had to share with myself and my fellow cohort members. It’s the kind of opportunity that I had never had before, so I wasn’t about to let it pass me by. For many years I’ve been plagued with anxiety and fears that I’d always be unable to live up to the bar and so I was particularly interested to hear if this was something Ms Lempert had ever experienced, and, if so, how she dealt with it.

My first impression of Miss Lempert was that she appeared to be a very smiley and friendly woman and this really put me at ease for the remainder of the session. I feel that all too often politicians are portrayed as serious and sometimes sinister people, however Miss Lempert is proof that that portrayal isn’t always accurate.

Whilst I’ve always been aware of the existence of Embassy and have had a vague understanding of their intents and purposes, it was nice to be able to gain further clarity on them and what they strive to achieve from listening to Ms Lempert. I learnt that as Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms Lempert has many responsibilities and plays a very important role within the U.S. Embassy. I can see why Ms Lempert would have been offered such a position based on her career history.

As I have mentioned already, Ms Lempert has had an incredible career so far. It’s no secret that throughout history the political field has been a challenge for women, from pay gaps to not getting a promotion they really deserved. Ms Lempert spoke briefly about her experience as a woman in the industry and the challenges she has faced. I found her advice quite humbling and very morally positive, she said, “focus on what you are doing and your work and let it stand for itself.” It was clear to me that Ms Lempert has a very ‘can do’ attitude towards her work and I admire this.

One thing that Ms Lempert mentioned repetitively throughout the session is how she feels it’s so important to keep trying. When asked what she felt her greatest achievement was and what she was most proud of, she said that she was proud of herself for trying despite failing. This really stood out to me. As a young woman dealing with mental and physical health issues, I’ve always found it so easy to criticise myself and only see the failures. Her positive outlook is something to keep in mind always.

I will really cherish this memory and the things I learnt from Ms Lempert. I look forward to future opportunities to learn, and I hope I will cross paths with the Deputy Chief of Mission again.

 

Written by Jess Lambert

2020 Masterclass Programme Participant

The Power of Communication in Politics: Masterclass with Sam Lyon

Posted on by Patchwork Foundation

The notion of power is something which is often singularly affiliated with frontline politicians who are associated with making crucial, life-changing decisions. As a result, when there is political discontent, the sentiments of anger are solely directed to our elected representatives as they serve as the visual embodiment of the political decision-making process. Thus, power in politics can sometimes become synonymous with politicians.

Our masterclass with Sam Lyon, a Managing Director at the CT Group, made me realise that looking at the concept of power through one lens was highly myopic. The interactive session unearthed the importance that campaign strategists play behind the scenes in an attempt to shape people’s preferences so that they support a certain group. It accentuated that exercising authority is by no means the sole aspect of power, as the gaining and maintenance of one’s authority is equally as important. This was achieved more from behind the scenes.

Sam has an illustrious career having been the director of communications at City Hall, the Official Spokesperson for Boris Johnson when he was the Mayor of London, acting as the media director to Boris Johnson during his 2012 Mayoral campaign and now as Managing Director of the CT group. The CT Group is a political strategy organisation which aims to be the machine behind creating a positive image for their clients. In order to do this, they specialise in research which includes finding out the drivers and behaviours of the target audience, campaigns which entail influencing the media, and strategic counsel which entails gathering intelligence from the grassroots.

Ultimately, the work of the CT group can be simply viewed as communicating a positive brand on behalf of a group or an individual. The session was absolutely awesome, as it was filled with amazing insights into what makes a successful political campaign.

Sam’s simplistic yet methodical approach to delivering his content was very valuable and I left the session feeling inspired, energised and excited.

Yet, it was the theme of communication which constituted a large proportion of Sam’s talk. I would like to share some of the take-away points that I acquired from the masterclass.

He alluded to the fact that communication is as much about researching who you are communicating with as is what you are actually saying. Finding out who your audience is, what they want to listen to and why they would listen to you provides the key to being able to win them over. Moreover, in any campaign, you have the vision and the strategy. The vision is what you want to achieve and the strategy is how you will achieve this. The vision will often be the core of the campaign; it’s guiding principle, the doctrine by which the campaign must abide, the essence of what the campaign wishes to communicate and it will outline the end goal of the campaign. The strategy is simply how all of this will be achieved. Therefore, the strategy needs to be short, simple and clear.

Sam also touched upon the fact that in communication it is always about the message. As simple as this first sounded, he talked about how people often thought that the power of communication is primarily achieved through the effective use of social media as an end. While social media is secondary to the message, it serves as the mechanism through which the message will be delivered. Therefore having a good social media presence but a poor message will not bode well. An analogy which encapsulated this sentiment was owning a Ferrari but running it off cooking oil. He also touched on the importance of the message being able to win over the swing voter – the most important type of voter. Whilst the base and anti voters will have already made up their minds, it is the swing voters who will win elections. Here he used the example of Sir Lynton Crosby, a founder of the CT Group and a hugely successful political strategist who is often dubbed the political “King of Swing.”

The final message which Sam parted with was the importance of keeping things seriously simple. Often very important sentiments are diluted by the overcomplicated attempts to present the message. Effective communication can only be achieved by seeing the world through the eyes of the general populous.

Ultimately, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Sam on behalf of the Patchwork 2020 Masterclass cohort for such an excellent session.

Written by Mohammad Karim