Specific need
Community Hub seeks architectural support to redesign reception space
Location
London
Organisation
Newham Community Renewal Programme
Reference No.
26 683
What do they need help with?
The Renewal Programme operates from a historic church building on Newham’s High Street, which has served the community for more than 120 years. The charity has leased the site for over 15 years and recently secured a 15-year lease extension, with permission to make alterations (subject to landlord approval). Located in one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs, the building is a vital hub for services including food banks, youth activities, adult education, and housing support.
Internally, the reception area is no longer fit for purpose. The space is difficult to navigate—particularly for people with access needs—and includes two narrow corridors, a small reception area, and a separate office. In total, it measures approximately 33.84m². The layout does not reflect the charity’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and trauma-informed practice.
The Renewal Programme is seeking architectural or engineering support to reimagine this entrance space. Their aim is to create a warm, psychologically informed environment that is welcoming for visitors and functional for staff. Support is needed to develop creative design options and indicative costings, which will be used to strengthen future capital funding applications.
This project forms part of their wider strategic plan, Open House, and will be a key step towards transforming the charity’s physical environment to reflect its values of dignity, inclusion and empowerment.
Timeline
As soon as possible
About the organisation
The Renewal Programme has supported people in the London Borough of Newham for over 50 years. Each year, they work with more than 4,000 individuals facing poverty, homelessness, and social isolation—particularly those who are overlooked by statutory systems.
They offer a wide range of services including supported housing for young people at risk of homelessness and individuals with complex needs, a community hub providing food support and wellbeing activities, youth services, and accredited adult learning programmes. In 2022-23 alone, they delivered 15,000 nights of safe accommodation, supported 670 adult learners, and gave immigration and welfare advice to 2,400 people.
Operating in a borough with some of the highest rates of poverty and homelessness in the UK, the Renewal Programme delivers vital, person-centred support to improve wellbeing, skills and independence.