A mantra I have always lived by is ‘If your dreams don’t scare you then you are not dreaming big enough’…. when I was asked to be the director of the masterclass programme at patchwork, I was anxious, and being asked to do this speech ‘scared’ me even more,  so I must be doing something right.

I joined the Patchwork Foundation in 2014 as quite a shy person not knowing what to expect. I remember walking into my first masterclass with Sir Lynton Crosby on political campaigning and meeting amazing and friendly people from diverse backgrounds whom I felt immediately comfortable with. I felt at home with Patchwork.

But there was one large obstacle in way. My shyness (PAUSE) and the fear of Public speaking (PAUSE). I asked myself this serious question. How will I be able to get the most out of this great opportunity if I choose not to overcome this fear? I soon made it my mission to use the programme to develop myself confidence (PAUSE). As each masterclass passed by, I found myself being more active and confident in patchwork which could not have been done if I did not get the support from those around me.

The masterclass programme gives young people the chance to meet senior politicians and political figures. This year alone, we have had the chance to meet Andrew Marr who departed his knowledge on political interviewing and broadcasting techniques and will get the opportunity to have classes with the Secretary of State for international development, Justine Greening, the permanent secretary for the DCLG, Melanie Dawes and have our annual visit to Number 10.

Patchwork has a deeper goal than just promoting and encouraging the participation of under-represented communities in the political sphere, It also provides interpersonal and transferable skills…. but more importantly encourages personal development (PAUSE). Patchwork has helped me understand that we can only work together once we begin to understand the struggles that each other faces. Without this understanding our goal becomes futile.

When I was asked to be the director of the programme, I was slightly apprehensive and kept questioning ‘why me? I’m not ready’. I knew that it would only mean that I had more obstacles to conquer. But for the first time I was keen knowing that this was the beginning of my journey.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the executive team at Patchwork, aside from working with amazing people, is watching people walk into the programme as shy and timid individuals just like I was and develop into confident courageous young adults(pause). This is the change is what I would like to see continue, this is the change that Patchwork is making.

It is lovely to see so many young people and masterclass graduates here today, coming together to share a political experience as wonderful as this and to be joined by Sadiq Khan, Zac Goldsmith, winners of our MP of the Year awards, Caroline Pidgeon and Sian Berry, politicians who all continue to see the value and importance of young people in politics. We cannot thank our guests without thanking the people that put in the work to make this event possible, I would therefore like to thank the Patchwork volunteer team and extend thanks to our patchwork ambassador Famida Bi from Norton Rose for hosting us here tonight.

As patchwork seeks to grow and develop, we are unable to do this without you, on this note I would like to thank all those who have supported Patchwork as you are the reason why young people have the opportunity to experience things one can only imagine. So that young people know that they too can break the barriers that they have created for themselves and achieve their full potential.

Thank you