About the Upper Room
The Upper Room is a Shepherd’s Bush charity supporting people facing homelessness, food poverty, social exclusion and the effects of the criminal justice system.
Since 1990, we have provided practical help, trusted relationships and long-term opportunities for people in West London. Our work includes hot meals, essentials, one-to-one support through the Help Hub, and specialist programmes that help people build confidence, independence and stability.
Our purpose
We help people move from crisis towards stability, confidence and independence.
We do this by providing immediate practical support, personalised advice, welcoming community spaces and opportunities to develop skills, confidence and positive relationships.
UR4Meals
Hot meals, takeaways, essentials and frontline support for people facing homelessness, food poverty, housing instability and crisis.
Help Hub
One-to-one help with benefits, housing, immigration, digital access, forms, correspondence and signposting.
UR4Driving
Driving, employability and confidence-building support for prison leavers, people with convictions and young people at risk.
How we help today
Governance and accountability
The Upper Room is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Our staff team delivers day-to-day services, supported by volunteers and overseen by a Board of Trustees responsible for governance, financial oversight, safeguarding and long-term sustainability.
Our team
The Upper Room is led by a small staff team based in Shepherd’s Bush, supported by volunteers, partners and trustees. Our team brings together frontline experience across food support, advice, employability, rehabilitation, fundraising and charity operations.
Our staff
- Peter Charalambides, Chief Executive Officer
- Ashley Robinson, Deputy CEO & Head of UR4 Meals
- Samantha Drinkwater, Head of UR4 Driving
- Mike Halson, Communications Manager
- Ryan McGillivary, Project Co-ordinator, UR4 Driving
- Mark Lorenzo, Project Support Worker, UR4 Driving
- Azmera Daniels, Employment Co-ordinator, UR4 Driving
- Tayo Oheiku, Senior Support Worker, UR4 Meals
- Waldi Sieniakowski, Support Worker, UR4 Meals
- Christina Ellemann, Chef, UR4 Meals
- Fadwa Elkamaly, Chef, UR4 Meals
- Simon Rafter, Chef, UR4 Meals
- Sophie Scheriber, Chef, UR4 Meals
- Yousif Al-Dhou, Kitchen Porter, UR4 Meals
- Sam Ajasa, Security Worker, UR4 Meals
- Rubena Begum, Administrator
Our trustees
- Simon Tuke, Chair
- Paul Mawdsley, Treasurer
- Greg Barton
- Cristina Monk
- Ellie Nguyen
- Avisha Patel
- Phil Schick
- Christian Schroeder
- Richard Shaw
- Bridget Stevenson
- Charlie Wood
Our annual reports
Our annual reports set out our activities, impact, governance and finances for each year.
Policies
Our key policies are reviewed regularly and help ensure our services are safe, inclusive and responsibly managed.