Team

Avisha Patel, Founder

"For as long as I can remember, the advancement of women's rights has been at the core of my beliefs. It is hard to believe that we live in a world where over 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Not only does this have a detrimental impact to the individuals mental health, but in many countries where stigmas and discrimination persist, women may be disowned by families and bear subsequent effects to their economic livelihoods. Our belief at Friendsline is that it is the right of every woman to have access to a safe environment and the resources to support ones mental health. In this technological era, we bring this support to the doorsteps of those who need it most in rural regions of the world "

Ameer Patel, Trustee

Ameer most recently helped set up NHS Test and Trace. He has been a British Diplomat for the past four years, where he has represented the UK in Somalia, headed the Foreign Marriage Unit and led on political affairs on Syria. Prior to this, he worked as an investment banker. Outside these roles, in addition to his commitments to Friendsline, he has founded a start up to revolutionise the way that people buy South Asian fashion.

Ashling Chin, Trustee

Ashling has been a Trustee for Friendsline since 2018, working on everything from Strategy to Operations. She has worked with and visited our beneficiaries on the ground and used these experiences to tailor our programmes to best meet the needs of the women we seek to help.

Outside of work Ashling has also spent a lot of time volunteering with young people in the outdoors with charities such as Raleigh International and Youth Adventure Trust.

Ashling is currently living in Manchester where she works at a University managing research grant funding. However she is currently working towards a Masters in Counselling Psychology and Yoga Teacher Training diploma.

Anjali Dwesar, Research Advisor

Anjali Dwesar has worked in programme management roles within the charity and social enterprise sector since 2015. She currently works at Leaders' Quest - a social enterprise that helps leaders and companies align profit with purpose. As part of this role, she has designed and delivered immersive leadership programmes across the UK, US and Middle East.

Previously, she worked at the international development charity Child.org, where she managed their Charity Fast-Track course. In this role she trained people for careers in the social change sector, through online learning and overseas work placements. She also spent time in Kenya working with CIFORD - a community-based organisation for women, where she helped design a programme for girls at risk of FGM.

"We believe that all women should have access to a safe space to look after their mental health"

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