Regenerate

Not long after living on the estate and becoming friends with people in the area through a football team a few of us were involved with, I began to see and hear about some of the negative things that went on in the community where we lived.

I heard about older people that had not been out of their homes for over 20 years and were living in isolation and fear. I saw kids riding stolen mopeds around the estate, cars and houses getting burnt out, drugs available all over the place and people getting robbed on the street.

My friends and I began to dream, pray and scheme about what we could do to make a difference in the area. It started small, with a desire to see a change in our community, a few prayers, good friends and ideas.

In January 2000, we formed Regenerate, a Christian faith based charity. We started it with my Mum, Mo. She helped manage the finances and administration and myself and a group of friends started setting up and running projects that would serve the community.

The work began by organising a lunch club for the older people in the area. We rented a church hall and employed a cook and within a few weeks we had 100 regular members. Older people that had been isolated before hand.

We then started developing projects for young people and children, such as, football clubs, dance and homework clubs, minibus trips out of London, a Juice Bar drop-in youth centre, a music studio, mentoring schemes and trips for young people to volunteer in developing countries.

Over the years we have also been taking what has begun in Roehampton to many other estates around South West London by using our Double decker bus (a mobile youth centre) and have helped others to initiate projects in their own communities.

In 2006 Regenerate RISE was established as a separate charity to focus on developing the work with the elderly.

Today Regenerate continues to focus on the estates in and around Roehampton as well as helping and supporting others who are initiating similar projects on estates across London.

We get to know individuals and help them uncover their potential and nurture their hopes for the future.

We know that this will be different for each and every person. A passion for music, sport, a desire to work, to be a good parent…

We stick by people for as long as it takes. Give encouragement and practical support to achieve their goals and transform their lives beyond their circumstance.

We believe in the potential that lies within every individual to change their lives and in doing so the lives of those around them.

And it’s infectious. Positive, personal transformation brings hope to all those around you, which builds communities from the inside out.

Regenerate; transformation from the inside out.

Lisa Jones – Chair of Trustees

Lisa’ business life has been spent in Marketing Communications Agencies, working on business-to-business clients across Europe. Lisa supports Women on Boards UK Ltd and is a regular presenter and speaker for them helping women make the right connections and career choices to get to board level within their own company or to take on a non-executive board role.

Andrew Chisholm – Vice Chair

Andrew works in the advertising world and is a Managing Partner at TBWA London and Part of the management exec team.  He is also an aspiring DJ!

Rodney Jenkins – Treasurer.

Rodney is a South African trained accountant with over 10 years experience working in a variety of industries from horticulture to natural resources both in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Saria Bernard – Trustee

Saria is an Interventions/Programme Facilitator at Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Saria grew up on the Alton estate and was a part of Regenerate’s youth work when she was growing up which she says helped pave a way to her current role, delivering Interventions – underpinned by cognitive behavioral therapy – to young people aged 15-18 in custody.

Nadia Jackin- Trustee

Nadia is a Business Analyst in Customer & Digital Technology. Born and raised in Wandsworth she has had first hand experience in the importance of youth and community services. Nadia has been a member of Regenerate’s Get Leading Programme since it began and is passionate about social and political equity, technology and community.

Barny Lee – Trustee

Barny is a high end furniture maker by day and started out with Regenerate as our volunteer double decker bus driver in the evenings.  For Regenerate he has served in volunteer roles as a mentor, football coach, youth worker and helped lead our youth teams to Kenya and Romania.  He is also a keen surfer and a chief encourager!

James Taylor – Trustee

James is an experienced Organisational Development leader with a proven track record in meeting the business needs of a diverse range of customers. Passionate about learning and seeing teams and organisations transformed and better equipped to meet the challenges they face. He is also a very talented musician and songwriter.