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About Us

Our Mission

 

The Limehouse Project (LHP) is a registered charity (no. 295857) that has worked to respond to the needs of minority communities throughout the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for over 30 years. We work on a simple ethos established by our three founders: through the empowering of one, we can empower an entire community.

We seek to empower marginalised individuals by researching, identifying, and establishing new pathways to help them overcome the personal and socio-economic barriers to self-empowerment, physical and mental well-being and the establishment of stable, fulfilled lives.

 

 

 

Our overarching aim is to alleviate the difficulties and help realise the aspirations of the most disadvantaged members of local communities, with a special focus on women, people of ethnic minority origin, and those for whom English is not a first language. Our growing successes and achievements are dependent upon our ability to provide:

  • Information, advice and advocacy support in our clients’ own languages;
  • Education, training and opportunities for supported volunteering geared towards helping women gain the confidence and skills they need to play a full role in their social and economic environments; and
  • A range of educational and recreational activities / experiences for women and their families, children, the elderly, and others wanting to enhance their life experiences, opportunities that would otherwise be beyond their reach.

Our History

 

The Limehouse Project was founded in 1984 as a housing association by three social pioneers: Suzy Powlesland, former Head Teacher of Sir William Borough School, Dennis Twomey, former councillor for Tower Hamlets, and Myra Garrett, a social worker who continues to work on behalf of minority communities today.

Although initially launched to house local homeless families, our workers and founders soon recognised a dire need within local minority communities for access to basic advice services. Following a disbanding of the original Limehouse Project to make way for the Labo Housing Association, we were once again re-established for the specific purpose of helping local communities receive the help and advice they need.

Since then, the Limehouse Project has become a beacon of advice and guidance for a wide variety of peoples stemming from all walks of life. From elderly people facing isolation and ill health to young people in need of a mentor, our Advice and Training & Development Teams work hard to enhance the daily lived experiences of communities throughout Tower Hamlets.

 

 

From left to right: Salma Rauf (Finance Manager), Suzy Powlesland (Founder) and Dennis Twomey (Founder & Chair), 1987

From left to right: Salma Rauf (Finance Manager), Suzy Powlesland (Founder) and Dennis Twomey (Founder & Chair), 1987

Our Funders

 

Thanks to the ongoing support and financial backing of many local and national charities, trusts, local government authorities and local providers, the Limehouse Project continues to be able to expand upon its works. As such, we would like to thank:

  • BBC Children In Need
  • Big Lottery
  • City Bridge Trust
  • East End Community Foundation DCLG
  • Home Office
  • Lloyds TSB
  • The Big Energy Saving Network
  • The London Borough of Tower Hamlets
  • Tetley and Wakefield Trust

 

 

 

 

 

We would also like to thank our many partners and providers, including:

    • Account 3
    • Bromley By Bow Centre
    • Carillion Employment
    • Community Matters
    • East London Business Alliance
    • Evelyn Oldfeild Unit
    • JGo
    • London Civic Forum
    • Poplar HARCA
    • ORT
    • OSCA
    • National Empowerment Partnership
    • Stitches in Time
    • Tower Hamlets Homes