The Centre is a charitable company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of Trustees.
Company Number: 5848143. Charity Number: 1121648.
John Deacon
Chair of trustees
John Deacon is the Chair of Trustees. After graduating in Theology and Music, he worked with homeless people for almost 25 years. John’s interest in community organising began when he worshipped at St Martin’s Plaistow – one of the founding members of The East London Citizens Organisation (TELCO), the first chapter of Citizens UK.
Pastor Cecilia Dewu
Treasurer
Pastor Cecilia Dewu is the Pastor of On The Rock International Ministries, and co-chair of Barking and Dagenham Citizens. Her east London congregation is pioneering Pentecostal engagement in congregational development through community organising, as part of CTC’s William Seymour Project.
Averil Pooten-Watan
Trustee
Averil Pooten-Watan is a co-churchwarden from St Barnabas and St James the Greater Church, and co-chair of Waltham Forest Citizens. Her church was already active in community organising, joining TELCO in 2009. However, by embarking on CTC’s Organising for Growth project, they deepened congregational and leadership development amongst key leaders in church.
Sr Josephine Canny OA
Trustee
Sr Josephine Canny OA is a member of the English Province of the Oblates of the Assumption and a vicar for Consacrated Life at the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood. She has worked extensively in schools where she was London Citizens’ 2007 Leader of the Year, because of her work in engaging Trinity Catholic High School in community organising.
Revd Vanessa Conant
Trustee
The Revd Vanessa Conant is the Team Rector of Walthamstow, and has led her congregation into renewal and growth by harnessing the potential of community organising, when it is rooted in theological reflection and prayer. Prior to training for ordination and becoming a priest, Vanessa worked in fundraising for Crisis and Christian Aid in London.
