Sevda Kaygili
About Me
Who Am I?
I am Sevda, born in the highlands of Turkey and raised in Britain after immigrating in 1993. I often say I was born in Turkey, but made in England.
From a young age, I learned the value of hard work and independence. Life was not easy, and opportunities, especially for women, were limited. When my family came to the UK, like many others, we had to build our lives from the ground up. Those experiences shaped who I am today. I understand struggle, I understand resilience, and I understand what it means to feel unheard.
I am also a parent of two children, and raising them keeps me grounded and focused on what really matters, community, fairness, and opportunity for everyone.
Why I Am Standing?
I am standing because of what I have seen and experienced working on the front line in social care, particularly as a domestic abuse practitioner. I have supported people at some of the most difficult times in their lives, and too often I saw that while people were visible, they were not truly heard. Even when they were heard, their concerns were not always taken seriously.
I also see that many people simply do not know how to raise their concerns, or who to turn to. That gap leaves people feeling isolated and unsupported, and it is something that has stayed with me.
Every interaction I have comes from a non-judgmental place. I understand that people come from different walks of life and different experiences, which is why responses and reactions can vary. I am professionally trained to understand how my attitude can impact the person in front of me, and I always approach people with empathy, respect, and understanding.
I recognise that I come from a place of privilege in some respects. I understand how to navigate systems, how to escalate issues, and how to make sure a voice is heard. To me, that is a form of power, and I believe that power should be used to support others, to speak up, to challenge when needed, and to make the noise that so many people need but cannot always make for themselves.
I also strongly believe that prevention is better than cure. If we listen early, support people properly, and act before problems escalate, the impact can reach far beyond just one individual.
This is not new to me. It is something I have already been doing within my community, often voluntarily, because I genuinely care. I am standing because I believe I can take that same commitment and turn it into real change.
Why Vote ECI?
Voting ECI means choosing people who are part of the community, not separate from it. We are residents, and we are affected by the same issues as everyone else who goes to the ballot box.
We face the same challenges as Jane from two doors down, Maria from up the road, or Mehmet who runs the local takeaway. We are not outsiders, we are part of this community.
We are not driven by money or personal gain. We believe in equality, and that equality should apply to everyone, not just a specific group or section of the community. We stand with anyone who feels unheard, overlooked, or unable to speak up.
Diversity has helped shape Britain into what it is today, something even reflected in our Brexit 50p coin, which speaks of peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations. That should not just be words, it should be something we live by in our communities.
Many of us are tired of the same politics. We have seen Labour lose touch with its roots, and Conservatives continue to prioritise certain groups over others. While one side makes the cuts and the other asks residents to carry the burden, people like us are left dealing with the consequences.
We are also tired of being divided, of communities being played against each other instead of being brought together. Enfield deserves better. Enfield needs change, and that change starts with us.
We are a party, built by the people, for the people.