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Staff

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Sajidah Patel

Chief Executive

Saj was appointed as CEO of the Patchwork Foundation in 2024, after six years at the Naz Legacy Foundation. After completing her Masters in Politics, Saj spent the early years of her career in Parliament, working for an MP. Saj is a proud Patchwork Alumni, having completed the Masterclass programme in 2015.

Gemma Benham

Senior Programmes Officer

Gemma joined Patchwork in 2021 after completing her Master’s degree at Kings College London in Politics and Contemporary History, focusing on the role of gender in election campaigning. Before this, Gemma read Modern and Contemporary History at Queen Mary University of London, including a year abroad in Washington, D.C. Whilst in Washington, she got involved with the U.S. Congressional midterm elections, canvassing and volunteering. 

Salah Daaboul

Operations & Communications Coordinator

Salah is working to support the Chief Executive and Patchwork, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for supporting organisational excellence. He graduated from SOAS with a degree in International Management (Middle East and North Africa) and spent a year abroad in Jordan working for an NGO. His academic and professional journey is marked by his commitment to effectiveness, accuracy, and a proactive approach to executive responsibilities. Salah’s passion for creating opportunities to embrace community cohesion, his dedication to streamlining processes, and his collaborative spirit fuel his desire to become an integral part of the Foundation’s mission to positively impact society.

Chanay Ismael

Events Assistant

Chanay joins Patchwork as an Events Assistant. Her experiences as Richmond upon Thames College Students’ Union Events officer and then President have given her experience with organising programmes and special events. She was previously a Student Race Equality Champion and completed the Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures and Steps to Anti-Racism course as part of the role. Chanay comes from a sociological background with an emphasis on social disparities and conducting research. Her commitment to Patchwork’s mission to increase the civil participation of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is unwavering. She now wants to hold the door into politics open the way her mentor did for her.

Hannan Ismail

Programmes Assistant

Hannan contributes to the essential work of the programmes team at Patchwork. A Politics and International Relations graduate from the LSE, she has been active in university societies focused on empowering marginalised communities. She has also has volunteered with a charity researching barriers to entry and opportunities for Somali professionals in the corporate world. Hannan has also worked as a policy and research intern for a charity advocating for flexible working. Her passion for making politics more accessible and encouraging young people to shape their futures drives her work with Patchwork.

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Testimonials

“Promoting and inspiring young talent from all backgrounds to engage in the politics and civil society strengthens political participation and our democratic process. The Patchwork Foundation is due enormous credit for their work in encouraging the positive integration of underrepresented communities and I am pleased to have been able to support the Foundation over the years as they have grown from strength to strength.”

Rt Hon Ian Blackford MP
Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons

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