50 Years, 50 Faces - The Renewal Programme

50 Years, 50 Faces: Akram

Akram joined the Renewal Programme as a Digital Hub volunteer 7 months ago. Since then, he has contributed over 65 hours with us!

50 Years, 50 Faces: Victoria

Victoria is the Renewal Programme's Digital Marketing and Communications Officer. She joined the organisation in 2020. Read more here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: UEL’S Legal Advice Centre

UEL'S Legal Advice Centre have been working alongside our Immigration Services project and have now formed a partnership. Read more.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Damian Callender

Damian Callender is the Renewal Programme's Director of Support and Empowerment; he works across several projects. Read more here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Rev Marco Lopes

Marco Lopez is a Church of England priest and a Portuguese citizen who has lived in Newham for three years. Marco is now one of our Trustees.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Craig McDougall

Craig McDougall is a filmmaker from Southampton, who owns a company called Neck of the Woods Films. Read about what RP means to Craig here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Shpresa

Shpresa started her volunteering journey with our Refugee and Migrant Project in 2017 and is now the powerhouse of the team. Read more about Shpresa here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Lucy

Meet Lucy, one of the first volunteers to join our Digital Hub project back in May 2021. Read more about Lucy here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Natalie

Natalie is one of our Connect Newham volunteers who has just published her first book. Read more about her journey here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Ojo

Ojo embarked on her volunteering journey with us almost six years ago and we are so grateful. Read her story here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Galo

Meet Galo; he’s been volunteering with us since we opened our Community Hub and is also one of our learners. Read more.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Nav

Meet Nav, one of our Connect Newham volunteers. Nav is hugely popular with his clients and his referred to as the "cool guy". Read more.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Mit

Meet Mit, one of our Digital Champion volunteers. Mit has only been with us three months but has made an impact. Read more.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Umi

Meet Umi, Food Handling Supervisor at our Food Bank. Umi has been volunteering with us for five years! Read more here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Roger

Roger is a resident of our Supported Housing project who has been with us since September 2020 and has big plans for his future.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Tom Hinkley

Tom Hinkley is Neck of the Woods Films' Client Partner and worked with the charity to create 'Dear Newham'. Read his 5Y5F interview here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Emma Lieghio

Emma Lieghio works at Neck of the Woods Films, the organisation who created our 'Dear Newham' video. Read her 5Y5F interview here.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Stephen Timms

Stephen Timms is the Labour Member of Parliament for East Ham and a firm supporter of the Renewal Programme. I have lived in Newham since 1978, becoming the MP for...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Anastasiia

Anastasiia first discovered the Renewal Programme after moving to the UK from Russia. She now volunteers in our food bank.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Paul Evans

Paul is our Supported Housing Manager who heads up the entire project. Paul’s passion is to empower people and provide opportunities to encourage positive change.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Fred

Fred is a resident of our Supported Housing project. He was sleeping on the streets before he came to us & is working on rebuilding his life.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Tammy

Tammy is a resident of our Supported Housing project; she's a friendly face to many. She is currently working towards independent living.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Guylaine Bianani

Guylaine is a Support Worker in our Supported Housing project; she has been at the Renewal Programme for just over a year.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Mustafa

Mustafa is a resident of our Supported Housing project; he has been with us since 2018 and says he feels safe at the Renewal Programme.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Arnold Ridout

Arnold has been on the Board of the Trustees for 10 years, taking over as Chair in 2018. Having lived in the borough for 40 years, Arnold understands the challenges...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Sarah Rance

Sarah joined the Renewal Programme in April as a Project Manager for 'Stay Settled in Newham'.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Mentesnot Mengesha

Mentesnot Mengesha fled Ethiopia as a refugee during the civil war 30 years ago and settled and built a successful life in Newham. His first job was as a Refugee...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Sandra

Sandra is one of the Renewal Programme's volunteers; she joined Chat Newham's volunteering team in 2020. The Renewal Programme means a lot to her as it is an organisation that...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Fraser Ashman

Fraser Ashman was a Board Member and Chairman of the Board for the Renewal Programme from 2000 - 2006; his experience enriched his life.

50 Years, 50 Faces: Shamsun

Shamsun enrolled as an ESOL learner at the Renewal Programme two years ago after hearing about the organisation from her neighbour. She has grown her skills and has now become...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Melanie Berard

Melanie Berard is the Renewal Programme's Volunteer Coordinator. She has been working at the organisation since November 2020 and is passionate about empowering individuals through volunteering. Since she started, she...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Paul Regan

Paul Regan is the Renewal Programme's first ever CEO. He is a retired Methodist Minister based in Newham where he has lived since 1972. Paul chairs - and is members...

50 Years, 50 Faces: Ann Easter

Reverend Canon Ann Easter was the Chief Executive Officer for the Renewal Programme from 1995 to 2005. She is now a Councillor for Newham and a Commissioner for Interfaith Dialogue....

50 Years, 50 Faces: Rowland Joiner

Rowland Joiner co-founded the Renewal Programme in 1971. He now splits his time between America and the UK.