Inna Prykhodko
Programme Assistant, ESOL tutor and Ukrainian Translator
Based in Somerset, UK
Inna supports local communities as Assistant Manager at Wells Welcome Hub and through volunteering with WCN. She contributes to community projects with a focus on project management, coordination, translation, and ESOL tutoring. Inna is committed to empowering others while promoting dignity, fairness, and wellbeing, and is always open to new experiences. Outside of her work, she enjoys reading, exploring local culture, and finding new ways to support her community.
Elzbieta Rutkowska-Janczak
Programme Assistant and Polish translator
Based in Somerset, UK
Ela is a Project Assistant for *Language, Belonging and Women in Action* at Kitabna. She is widely and actively involved in supporting her local community through various initiatives. Ela currently working at Watch CIO (Working All Together in Chard), a Somerset-based charity offering mental health support and peer-led services for adults, as well volunteering at the Community Hub and has also been a co-organiser of the highly successful annual multicultural community event *Chard Together* for couple of years. She studied Creative Photography at the "Pho-Bos" College of Photography in Poland and Pedagogy with a specialisation in Social Rehabilitation at the University of Wrocław. In Poland, Ela worked at a refugee home for single women and mothers with children, where she facilitated educational and therapeutic activities for children using photography and music as creative tools.
Her work is driven by a strong commitment to community engagement, inclusion, and empowerment through creative and participatory practices.
Nicola Haynes
Programme Assistant and ESOL tutor
Based in Somerset, UK
Nicola is an ESOL tutor, teaching English to speakers of other languages across Somerset in the UK. She has had a mixed career in IT consultancy, plumbing and now teaching, interspersed with periods of parenthood, French tutoring, DIY and gardening. With a degree in modern languages from the University of Oxford, she is fascinated by language, food and community and strives to combine all three in ESOL classes.
The Kitabna team met in Beirut, Lebanon, in Arabic class. Helen Patuck and Maria Chambers were studying Arabic, and Asia Haidar was their teacher. Together they began to develop the Kitabna methodology: local storytelling and the creation of culturally relevant, multilingual children's books themed around life in refugee camps and displacement. They have now been joined by Federica Margini, who brings her experience of communication and impact measurement tools to our work, and Clemenine Durand joined the team having worked on the French translations of Kitabna's books.
In 2021, Kitabna became a community interest company (CIC), operating as a social enterprise under Helen's directorship. The original team now serves on a voluntary basis as an Advisory Board to govern Kitabna's direction and ensure we serve our community interest, which you can read about in our Articles of Association.
Olga Kritskaia
Programme Assistant and Ukrainian translator
Based in Devon, UK
Olga is a former engineer who used to work for a scientific and research institute in the energy industry. After coming in the UK and gaining refugee status, she has become engaged in social working by helping refugees to settle and get connected to various systems in the city (working with the Police, Banking, Health Care, Job Center). Olga is an active volunteer for a few organisations in sports and well-being areas, including sailing and outdoor sea-swimming. She likes to try new things, meet new people, and has always believed that networking is a superpower.
Dr Usama Alshughry
Arabic Translator and Literary Editor, Advisory Board Member
Based in Istanbul, Turkey
Usama is a psychiatrist and MHPSS expert. He spent his career working with IDPs and refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. Usama believes that sustainable psychosocial wellbeing only ends in clinical work, but begins with empowerment of vulnerable people affected by adversities. He has been a huge fan of Kitabna since the beginning, in 2014, and he is pleased to work with Kitabna as a consultant, editor and translator. Outside his work, he writes short stories in Arabic, and takes photos with film cameras. Usama works in Arabic and English.
The Kitabna team first met in 2014 in Beirut, Lebanon, in Arabic class. Together they began to develop the Kitabna methodology: local storytelling and the creation of culturally relevant, multilingual children's books themed around life in refugee camps and displacement.
In 2021, Kitabna became a community interest company (CIC), operating as a social enterprise under Helen's directorship. The original team now occasionally works on projects together, and largely serves on a voluntary basis as an Advisory Board to govern Kitabna's direction and ensure we serve our community interest, which you can read about here. Shannon Rayner joined us as Publishing Officer in 2021-23.
In 2026, Kitabna launched the Language, Belonging and Women in Action Programme, sharing informal ESOL (English for Speakers of
Lin Bilal
Arabic Translator and Advisory Board Member
Based in Istanbul, Turkey
Lin is a humanitarian aid worker. She graduated from the Aleppo University's Institute of Banking and Management Science in 2013 with a diploma in business management. Lin started her humanitarian career in 2014, specializing in protection mainstreaming and safeguarding. She enjoys using her skills to contribute to the exciting humanitarian response advances that happen every day in the field. She believes in equality and the right to access education, saying that: "Together, we can conquer all obstacles for a better future for our generation." Lin works in Arabic and English.
Meet the team
Helen Patuck
Founder and Director, Author/Illustrator
Based in Somerset, UK
helen@kitabna.org
Helen is a writer, creative consultant, illustrator, teacher and children's author from the UK. Since founding Kitabna in 2014, Helen has written and illustrated several of our books and coordinates our work in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as Director of the CIC and consultant to the United Nations and various NGOs. Helen teaches English (ESOL) to refugee and migrant women in the UK. Helen works in English, Arabic and French.
Meet the team
Asia Haidar
Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member
and Arabic Editor
Based in Hamburg, Germany
Asia Haidar is a co-founder and advisory board member of Kitabna – Our Book CIC, where she works on Arabic editing, translation, and outreach. She is also a freelance journalist for Der SPIEGEL, reporting on women’s rights, migration, and conflictS in the Middle East. Asia works in Arabic, Kurmanji, German, and English.
Annual meeting of the Friends of Kitabna Advisory Board, May 2025 - between UK, Germany, Turkey
Quinty Chan
Programme Assistant and Cantonese Translator for the Hongkonger community
Based in Bristol, UK
Quinty is a mother and active volunteer at a community garden in Bristol. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming and safe environment for families. Quinty works in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
Anna Tumanova
Programme Assistant and Ukrainian translator
Based in Somerset, UK
Anna is a Programme Assistant with a strong interest in community support and inclusion. Since 2022, she has worked as a Wells Welcome Hub Manager, supporting displaced people with integration as well as access to ESOL classes. She was inspired by the ideas behind Kitabna’s 2026 project and believes in the power of kindness and community, valuing work that creates positive impact. With over ten years of experience in large teams, Anna values collaboration and practical support, and believes she is a strong and positive team player. She works in Ukrainian and English.
Lucinda Langdon
Programme Assistant
Based in Somerset, UK
Lu is a community organiser and inclusion advocate with a passion for creating welcoming, celebratory spaces for LGBT+ people and other marginalised groups. They co‑founded Yeovil Pride in 2019 and now supports local initiatives that promote visibility, belonging, and equality. They bring experience in grassroots organising, event coordination, disability advocacy, and work closely with partners across Somerset to grow community connections. Lu works in English, and will be strengthening their Japanese in 2026.
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