Each year on the 10th of October, World Homelessness Day raises awareness of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, and highlights the work being done by organisations and communities across the world to create lasting change.
Here in Newham, the Renewal Programme’s Supported Housing Service plays a vital role in helping residents rebuild their lives and move towards independence. On this important day, we’re celebrating the impact of this work, welcoming our new Supported Housing Manager, Brenda Lewis, and sharing the story of one of our residents who, through accessing our Supported Housing Service, has turned her life around.
But firstly, let’s share a bit about the history of Supported Housing
This initiative originated from the Renewal Programme’s Turnaround Aram House Night Shelter. Turnaround has provided night-shelter since November 1992, when several Newham churches pulled together to meet the needs of local un-housed people by providing them with a meal, a bed and a warm, safe environment. The Renewal Programme has since expanded the Supported Housing project across two buildings in Newham, meeting the borough’s aim of reducing rough sleeping and housing insecurity.
The aim of the Supported Housing Service is not only to provide safe and stable accommodation, but to support our residents to grow and transform their lives. We aim to work alongside them, support and develop the skills needed to manage their
finances, stay safe, access education, training and employment, manage their health and wellbeing, have a healthy start, build
confidence and positive relationships, and support them in moving on.
Introducing our new Supported Housing Manager, Brenda Lewis
We’re delighted to welcome Brenda Lewis, who joined the Renewal Programme in September as our new Supported Housing Manager. Brenda Lewis brings extensive experience as a senior manager within housing and support services, with a strong track record in leading teams that work with people who are homeless, vulnerable or living with disabilities. She’s a proactive and compassionate leader, skilled in coaching and mentoring staff, managing complex services, and driving organisational growth and improvement.
We asked Brenda a few questions about what guides the Renewal Programme’s Supported Housing Services approach, Brenda explained:
“By working in collaboration with other stakeholders in the community, we are able to provide each resident with their own bespoke support which is tailored to their current needs.”
For Brenda, what makes the Renewal Programme’s Supported Housing service stand out is its focus on people’s strengths rather than their problems:
“In adopting the asset-based approach, we enable each person to be at the forefront of their chosen path in life. We don’t give up, we face barriers alongside them.”
How does the Renewal Programme measure success beyond just providing a roof over someone’s head?
“Being housed is only a small part of the bigger picture. We also measure success by the milestones and achievements each resident makes towards gaining independence and preparing to move on.”
Real lives, real change: ST’s story
One of the residents supported through our housing service, ST, has been with the Renewal Programme since 2017. Her journey reflects the long-term, compassionate support our team provides, and the power of persistence and trust in helping someone rediscover stability.
When ST first arrived, she was rebuilding her life after 18 years of domestic violence. Living with depression, anxiety and ongoing physical health challenges, ST found it difficult to engage with support and struggled with hoarding, a condition often linked to trauma.
Rather than resorting to warnings or punitive measures, our staff worked patiently and respectfully with ST to address these challenges. Over two days, they supported her through the emotional process of decluttering her flat, helping her reflect on the memories attached to the items she held onto.
It wasn’t easy, but the breakthrough was profound.
Through these conversations, ST was able to trace her hoarding behaviour back to childhood trauma and family experiences. With renewed insight, she agreed to begin therapy with Mind and to meet weekly with her support worker to monitor her wellbeing.
“It won’t be easy,” says Brenda, “but with patience and empathy, we can turn some corners at the very least.”
This moment marked an important milestone for ST, and for our Supported Housing team. It demonstrated that change takes time, but with compassion, consistency and the right support, progress is always possible.
