FOUNDERS
Serving local communities
A social enterprise organisation that seeks to serve local communities. It was set up in 2014 by Ronke Coote and Vanessa Freeman. Funding and donations. We are in the process of applying to various organisations for funding and donations. We have applied to Tesco to donate fruit and veg that are surplus to requirement, that we can use in the Juice Bar. We hope that after a period of time, the Juice Bar will be self sustainable and will be able to fund the Women’s Hub.
Ronke
Ronke Coote is a married mother of two. She is a qualified Solicitor, a secondary schools safeguarding governor and sits in a legal capacity as a panel member for a foster care agency. She has a heart for social justice and would like nothing more, than to see people living free from harm and abuse. She would like to see young and old empowered to do good, make a positive contribution to society and live their lives to their full potential.
Her main areas of interest are working with survivors of domestic violence and women who have been affected by the criminal justice system.
On a daily basis she advises and advocates on behalf of people who have been unfairly treated and those who are vulnerable and marginalised.
Vanessa
Vanessa Freeman is a mother, a vocal teacher, singer, a primary school governor, with the responsibility of monitoring school behaviour. She has also been a foster carer.
Her time working for Lambeth Council summer holiday projects gave her the opportunity to be a support to children on a child protection plan, creating trust and giving them the confidence to feel safe. Vanessa has a vast social care experience, she has worked with youth, the elderly and people with learning difficulties.
Being a foster carer for nine years and looking after predominantly teenage boys from a variety of backgrounds, she feels that her main tasks were to help them fulfil their goals, while in her care and to prepare them for the transition of becoming independent adults.
Vanessa, also has a love for art, dance, drama and music and when possible tries to use these in the healing process. She is committed to seeing positive change for both the young and old.