This week M+K sits across the table with Sheena Patel, Co-Founder and CFO, Change Ahead. Change Ahead finds community solutions to alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness. She talks with us about her mum’s cooking, where she finds inspiration, and finding purpose by making a difference.
1. My cooking inspiration…
My Mum…always! Her passion for all the different cooking styles using fresh ingredients and a combination of spices has led to incredible Gujarati meals, high in nutritional value. Mum’s love, kindness and positive energy transfers into her cooking and into our hearts, mind and overall health. I really believe the reason I have good skin is because my food lifestyle began and continues at home with my Mum’s freshly cooked meals…lots of vegetables and clean ingredients. My Mum always says, “cook with love and patience, you never know who ends up eating the meals you prepare.” So many of our family and friends have enjoyed and experienced the uniqueness of her amazing hand in cooking.
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
Traditional Gujarati meal, Rotli, Peas shaak, Cabbage Potato Shaak, gilodi (Coccinia grandis) shaak, Dal, quinoa, raw onions with freshly cut limes, cucumber, tomatoes & lettuce. Athela Marcha and Carrots (chilli and carrot pickle) and papadums.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
Patience and creativity can lead to a lifelong recipe for success.
4. When I want to be creative I…
Play tennis, listen to podcasts (in particular, “Secret Leaders” with Dan Murray-Serter and Rich Martell), go for walks around parks and nature trails, and spend time by the ocean.
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
“Build An Empire” by Elena Cardone. Elena sets the foundation for creating and building a career full of life, passion, meaning and purpose, whilst helping others along your journey. The book helped my personal development and growth, which led me to become the person I needed to be for Change Ahead, to make an impact and difference to others less fortunate.
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
Exercising and skipping to music, sleeping, eating clean, listening to podcasts and absorbing nature…. It all helps to keep my mind balanced and energised to imagine more possibilities.
7. I recently learnt…
Social inclusion in society is important to improve the ability, opportunity and dignity of those disadvantaged based on their identity. We can all be part of a solution and if we do nothing, we become part of the problem.
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
Volunteering and listening to those in need, hearing their stories from the past and supporting them. Before the pandemic, there were already over 8 million people who were one month’s pay away from experiencing homelessness and over 9 million Britons combatting loneliness. Change Ahead provides easy online access to local resources that are essential to basic human needs. It allows volunteers to spread further acts of kindness.
9. To make a difference in my community I…
Collaborate with individuals and businesses to encourage working together, to support each other, which lead to greater benefits to all. Supporting our communities dealing with stress, anxiety and depression that derives from uncertainty. Change Ahead’s mission is to bring back hope, purpose and meaning through a collaborative approach.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
My health and mindset. Having my family and friends around me who are also in good health. The challenges I’m confronted with and having the opportunity to discover who I am as a woman and a human being, knowing that I can make a difference in other people’s lives.
Sheena is the Co-Founder of Change Ahead. After leading a corporate career for 15 years in Finance at General Electric, Sheena decided to elevate her skills by making a difference in the world, combining empathy with tech. After meeting her Co-Founder Mohsin Ravjani, the two realised they could grow a collaborative platform where people improve their lives and become contributing members of society, reducing the burden on the taxpayer. Change Ahead finds community solutions to alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness. The solutions are centred around individual circumstances and based on their needs for everyday essentials, housing, jobs, physical, mental and financial wellbeing for social inclusion.
To connect visit:
https://www.changeahead.org.uk/
instagram.com/changeahead.org.uk
instagram.com/sheenapatel10
www.linkedin.com/company/changeaheaduk/
youtube.com/changeahead
