Learn about some of the people and organisations the Renewal Programme has had an impact on since 1971.
Denise’s Story
Our Digital Inclusion Programme is a big part of our work, and it runs from the Community Hub. We started it because we recognised that in Newham there was large...
Momtahena
Momtahena was one of our Connect Newham volunteers. She recently had her last day with the project and the team celebrated her farewell with cupcakes, which were shared with our...
Tania
Tania was one of our volunteer Food Bank Assessors, originally introduced to the charity through our Training & Education programme. “Starting from the first day where I contacted the Renewal...
Jacqui
Jacqui was a volunteer assisting in our Training & Education’s Basic IT lessons. “My experience volunteering with the Renewal Programme was great. I volunteered assisting the basic IT teacher Nicola...
Ann
Ann has been volunteering with us since October 2021. She has been a strong part of the Renewal Programme’s gardening programme, for our Supported Housing project, since its conception. Week in week out,...
Pa
Pa is an artist and was previously a resident of our Supported Housing project. He recently exhibited his work. Read more here.
LF
LF is one of our Digital Skills students, learning through our Training and Education project. Read more about his experience here.
PH
PH is one of our Training and Education students, currently completing an ESOL course and a Digital Skills course. Read more here.
NC
NC is one of our Connect Newham clients, who benefits from our Befriender service. Their mood, and mental health, has improved dramatically.
Dave Eldridge
We're excited to welcome Dave Eldridge as our new Chair of Trustees! Read more about his background, why he’s joined us, and his plans for the Renewal Programme.
Peter Laing
Peter Laing is the CEO of the Renewal Programme. Read about his journey with the charity so far and his plans for the future.
Yogarani
Yogarani is one of our amazing Receptionists. She is often the first face people see when they arrive & is a true asset to the organisation.
Mohammed Zaman
Mohammed Zaman is the Branch Manager at Nationwide's Upton Park branch; he recently presented us with £10,000 funding from the store.
Veronika Alblova
Veronika is our Community Hub Manager; she discovered us through her work with Care4Calais & is a beacon of hope for clients.
Molly Patten
Molly Patten joined the Renewal Programme's Board of Trustees in 2020 and has become an integral part of the organisation. Read more here.
Humera Ali
Humera is the Renewal Programme's Refugee and Migrant Support Case Worker. She has worked across the organisation. Read more here.
Ruth Bravery
Ruth Bravery is a pivotal part of the Renewal Programme's history - she was the third CEO. Read more about Ruth here.
Darragh
Darragh works for Bonny Downs Community Association, another local charity we partner with. Read about the partnership here.
Alex Skourtis
Alex Skourtis is one of the Renewal Programme's trustees. He joined the Board in 2020. Read more about his work with the organisation.
Maureen
Maureen is one of our Connect Newham volunteers and she has been with us for 15 months. Read more about Maureen's journey with us.
Funmilola
Funmilola Abiola started her journey at the Renewal Programme as a learner; she then went onto volunteer for the project. Read more.
Clifford and Monica Hill
Clifford and Monica Hill are the founders, alongside Rowland Joiner, of the Renewal Programme, who created the organisation back in 1971 after seeing the need for further care, help and...
Louisa Vera
Louise Vera is the Training and Education Director at the Renewal Programme. She has been at the organisation for 17 years. Read more.
Nicola Lane
Nicola Lane is an IT Tutor at the Renewal Programme, working with beginners to level 3 learners. She has supported over 1500 learners.
Joseph Richards
Joseph Richards is the Youth Coordinator at the Renewal Programme and has a passion for providing Newham's young people with opportunities.
Shirley Narh
Shirley Narh is the Renewal Programme's Centre Manager and has been at the organisation since 2008. Read more here.
Akram
Akram joined the Renewal Programme as a Digital Hub volunteer 7 months ago. Since then, he has contributed over 65 hours with us!
Victoria
Victoria is the Renewal Programme's Digital Marketing and Communications Officer. She joined the organisation in 2020. Read more here.
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.
Damian Callender
Damian Callender is the Renewal Programme's Director of Support and Empowerment; he works across several projects. Read more here.
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.
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.
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.
Lucy
Meet Lucy, one of the first volunteers to join our Digital Hub project back in May 2021. Read more about Lucy here.
Natalie
Natalie is one of our Connect Newham volunteers who has just published her first book. Read more about her journey here.
Ojo
Ojo embarked on her volunteering journey with us almost six years ago and we are so grateful. Read her story here.
Galo
Meet Galo; he’s been volunteering with us since we opened our Community Hub and is also one of our learners. Read more.
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.
Mit
Meet Mit, one of our Digital Champion volunteers. Mit has only been with us three months but has made an impact. Read more.
Umi
Meet Umi, Food Handling Supervisor at our Food Bank. Umi has been volunteering with us for five years! Read more here.
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.
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.
Emma Lieghio
Emma Lieghio works at Neck of the Woods Films, the organisation who created our 'Dear Newham' video. Read her 5Y5F interview here.
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...
Anastasiia
Anastasiia first discovered the Renewal Programme after moving to the UK from Russia. She now volunteers in our food bank.
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.
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.
Tammy
Tammy is a resident of our Supported Housing project; she's a friendly face to many. She is currently working towards independent living.
Guylaine Bianani
Guylaine is a Support Worker in our Supported Housing project; she has been at the Renewal Programme for just over a year.
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.
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...
Sarah Rance
Sarah joined the Renewal Programme in April as a Project Manager for 'Stay Settled in Newham'.
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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....
Rowland Joiner
Rowland Joiner co-founded the Renewal Programme in 1971. He now splits his time between America and the UK.
