Meet the team

Helen grew up and went to school in Redbridge then trained to teach RE and moved back to the borough where she taught in secondary schools for 10 years. She is passionate about good quality RE and has an MA in Philosophy and Education. She is currently the Chair of Redbridge SACRE.

Heather joined the team in 2019. She has a graduate diploma in youth ministry and over 15 years experience, including within Redbridge.  She currently leads the Christian Union at Woodbridge High School in collaboration with local churches.  

Velisha is a Schools Worker who joined the team in 2019.  She has a degree in Psychology and Counselling, skills which have benefited our Mentoring Programme.  She is also a gifted Gospel Singer and has led choirs in schools as part of her role.  

Jo is our longest serving member of staff and serves the project with all things admin. Jo may well be the first person you speak to when you contact us.

Keith retired in 2015 from a career in senior management for various local authorities, and latterly Transport for London. He has a longstanding involvement with local schools and has been a school governor for many years.  Keith has supported CEP since its inception and became a trustee in 2019. He is married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren, he has attended CityGates Church, Ilford for over 50 years.  

Martin spent his career in the Lloyd’s Insurance Market before retiring. He has been involved with the Project over many years becoming a Trustee in 2015 and Treasurer in 2016. Martin worships at All Saints Woodford Wells and currently is involved with a church plant on the Barking Riverside development which is being supported by All Saints.

Martin is married to Sue and they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren; he enjoys cycling, the garden and the grandchildren.

Claude trained as a Secondary School teacher and worked in the Education field for many years before undertaking postgraduate studies and becoming a Baptist Minister.  He is currently serving a number of local churches. 

Val is the longest serving member of the Trustees.  She enjoyed a long career as a primary school teacher in Redbridge and is now retired.  She is active in Grove Hill Evangelical Church, helping with various ministries.

Yvette retired in 2020 from working as a Health and Safety advisor for AVIVA clients based in East Anglia. She worships at St Cedd’s Church Barkingside and serves on the PCC as Treasurer. She joined as a trustee in 2020. She organises regional netball competitions, acts as an umpire, and her family and grandchildren ensure that she has no other free time! 

Martin is a Pastor at Abridge Village Church with experience of teaching in Primary and Secondary Schools and RE teacher training.

He has previously worked for Barnabas in Schools and has authored several books about collective worship. 

Su is a qualified teacher and taught English locally at Secondary level. She also spent several years in India with her family, supporting various Christian projects.