Tottenham health charity founder steps down as chair after '15 years of dedicated service'

The Bridge Renewal Trust recently celebrated the legacy of founding chair Rachel Hughes

From left; artist Jenna Waldren, chief exec Geoffrey Ocen, new trustees chair Michele Eastmond, and outgoing chair Rachel Hughes (credit The Bridge Renewal Trust)

A Tottenham charity has celebrated the “dedicated service” of its outgoing chair of trustees and founder.

The Bridge Renewal Trust recently hosted a celebration to mark 15 years of dedicated service from Rachel Hughes, who has stepped down as the charity’s chair of trustees after helping found the charity and shape its growth from the ground up.

The tribute took place at the charity’s annual Bridge Summer Fest on Thursday, 30th July at Chestnuts Park and Community Centre, attended by over 700 residents and 50 grassroots organisations.

To mark her contribution, Rachel was presented with a painting by local artist Jenna Waldren depicting the Laurels Healthy Living Centre — one of London’s first neighbourhood-based healthy living centres, and something Rachel was instrumental in establishing.

The Bridge Renewal Trust is a local charity working to reduce health inequalities, providing health and wellbeing services and supporting residents to live “healthier, happier lives”.

Building on her years of earlier work in the local community, Rachel helped establish the trust in 2009 as part of the legacy of the ‘New Deal for Communities’ programme. Starting with just three members of staff, over the last nearly two decades she has helped the charity grow into a trusted community organisation supporting thousands of local people annually while helping to build a stronger, “healthier and safer Haringey”.

This year’s Bridge Summer Fest featured free performances, family activities and opportunities for residents to connect with local voluntary organisations and health services. In attendance were Joanne McCartney, local assembly member and City Hall’s deputy mayor of London for children, as well as Haringey mayor Dawn Barnes.

Michele Eastmond, who has now taken over as chair of trustees, said: “Rachel has always led with integrity, generosity and passion.

“She has never sought recognition, but her legacy can be seen every day — in the organisation she helped build, in the partnerships she nurtured, and most importantly in the thousands of local people whose lives have been improved through The Bridge’s work.”

Rachel added: “It has been a privilege being chair of the Bridge. I am very proud of how far we have come together — staff, volunteers, the community, local people and partnerships. We have made a significant difference for individuals and in the culture of the borough.”

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