Key Points
- Founding Chair of Trustees Rachel Hughes has officially stepped down after 15 years of leadership at The Bridge Renewal Trust.
- The charity celebrated her tenure during its annual Bridge Summer Fest on Thursday, 30th July, at Chestnuts Park and Community Centre.
- Over 700 local residents and 50 grassroots organisations attended the community tribute event.
- Hughes was presented with a custom painting by artist Jenna Waldren depicting the Laurels Healthy Living Centre, a key institution she helped establish.
- Long-standing trustee Michele Eastmond has formally taken over as the new Chair of Trustees.
- Notable attendees included Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor of London for Children and Local Assembly Member, and Dawn Barnes, Mayor of Haringey.
Tottenham (North London News) August 11, 2026 —The Bridge Renewal Trust has hosted a community tribute to mark the retirement of its founding Chair of Trustees, Rachel Hughes, following 15 years of continuous leadership.
As reported by Jemima Reynolds on the official Bridge Renewal Trust news portal, the tribute took place during the organisation’s annual Bridge Summer Fest at Chestnuts Park and Community Centre, drawing an attendance of more than 700 residents alongside representatives from 50 local grassroots organisations.
During the event, Hughes was presented with an original painting created by local artist Jenna Waldren. The artwork depicts the Laurels Healthy Living Centre, recognised as one of London’s initial neighbourhood-based healthy living facilities, which Hughes was directly instrumental in founding.
As documented by the Haringey Community Press, Hughes co-founded the charity in 2009 as part of the legacy framework of the ‘New Deal for Communities’ initiative.
The charity launched with an initial workforce of three staff members and expanded over fifteen years into a public health organisation supporting thousands of borough residents each year.
What Did Key Figures Say Regarding Hughes’ Leadership and Departure?
Official statements delivered during the ceremony highlighted the scope of Hughes’ tenure across Haringey. As reported by Jemima Reynolds of The Bridge Renewal Trust, outgoing Chair Rachel Hughes reflected on her departure:
“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.”
Incoming Chair of Trustees Michele Eastmond, who previously served on the board, spoke regarding Hughes’ governance style and systemic impact:
“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.”
As detailed in the event reports published by the trust, Deputy Mayor of London Joanne McCartney addressed attendees to highlight the borough’s ‘Loved and Wanted’ project based at the Bridge Community Hut, funded through the Mayor of London and The National Lottery.
Mayor of Haringey Dawn Barnes also presented awards during the festival to long-serving volunteers Dele and Dolores, as well as delivery partners including the Dalmar Family Heritage & Development organisation and the House of Polish & Eastern European Community.
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Background of the Particular Development
The Bridge Renewal Trust was established in 2009 to act as a successor body to the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme in Haringey.
The NDC was an area-based regeneration initiative launched by the UK government to target systemic socio-economic inequalities in specific deprived neighbourhoods across England.
Under Hughes’ initial guidance, the trust sought to address health disparities by delivering localized public health services, exercise programmes, mental health initiatives, and community support frameworks. Key projects developed under her tenure include:
- Laurels Healthy Living Centre: One of London’s early integrated community health hubs combining clinical access with health promotion.
- Community Health Partnerships: Collaborative projects alongside the North Central London Integrated Care Board and Haringey Council focusing on vaccine awareness, heart health, and discharge support through the Home from Hospital initiative.
- Bridge Community Hut and Centre Operations: Providing targeted support programmes, physical activity sessions, and low-cost community dining options.
The governance transition comes as Michele Eastmond formally takes over the Board of Trustees, maintaining continuity within the organisation’s executive structure.
Prediction: How This Development May Affect the Community and Service Users
The transition in leadership at The Bridge Renewal Trust represents a pivotal shift for residents, service users, and partner organisations across Haringey and wider North London.
- For Service Users and Local Residents: Because Michele Eastmond has served as a trustee within the organisation prior to assuming the role of Chair, core public health programmes—such as health inequality outreach, local wellbeing sessions, and hospital discharge support—are expected to maintain operational continuity without disruption to daily services.
- For Grassroots Delivery Partners: With established relationships remaining intact, grassroots organisations relying on the trust’s administrative framework and joint funding schemes will likely experience stable partnership models.
- For Organisational Strategy: The formal handover allows the trust to navigate upcoming local healthcare commissioning changes under the Integrated Care Board framework while retaining the baseline infrastructure established during Hughes’ 15-year tenure.
