I am a retired Managing Director of an events structures company. This role brought me into contact with many contractors who struggle to find work and to earn a living during the winter months. Our business became leaders in the ‘deseasonalisation’ of their contracts and reskilling our workforce to fit more year-round projects.

I am now exclusively involved in local charity work and I’m passionate about enabling behavioural change through mentoring.

I widely follow most forms of cricket and rugby in general, although I am a Harlequins supporter

Debbie is an actress, an author, an altruist, a writer, a producer and a voice artist and has enjoyed a successful career in television and theatre. She is the only actress in the UK who has appeared in every major TV soap in the last 30 years as a regular character. Currently, she is seen 4 times a week in the online sensation ‘Wonderbirds’ which she facilitated and created with 3 friends, Dee Anderson, Sherrie Hewson and Harriet Thorpe

Özlem Warren is an award-winning Turkish food writer and cookery teacher. She frequently travels to teach Turkish cookery in the USA, Türkiye (Turkey), UK and Jordan. Her recipes and articles are published in major newspapers and magazines, including the Waitrose Food Magazine, Waitrose Weekend, Delicious Magazine, Food and Travel, Olive Magazine, The New York Times Cooking, Milk Street Magazine, Hurriyet Daily News and Sabah Daily. Her debut book, Özlem’s Turkish Table, won Gourmands Best in the World award in Food Heritage in 2020.

Özlem’s new cookery book, SEBZE, Vegetarian recipes from my Turkish kitchen is out on 11th April 2024.

I began volunteering for Rentstart during the pandemic and made phone calls to clients to support their emotional wellbeing. This then grew to one afternoon every week, visiting clients, assessing needs and assisting with classes on offer.

My nature is a caring one, but helping dependence is a real passion. I've come from a few occupations - starting in a local hospital as a carer, as well as community work for over 10 years. I then moved into the education sector, working in a local school as well as managing a wraparound care provision. During this time, I achieved a 1st class BA (Hons) in Leadership & Management. This led me to do a PGCE and I qualified as a primary school teacher in 2020. My hobbies include football, music and supporting Hersham & Farnborough Football Clubs.

A creative individual who finds joy in connecting with others and making a difference, using my skills at Rentstart to achieve meaningful outcomes and foster positive change for others.

I started off as a landlord to Rentstart almost 20 years ago and have been becoming more connected ever since.

My background is property related, and outside of Rentstart I focus on the several businesses I own, including a successful online hairbrush business. As a result of living here in Elmbridge all my life I have always wanted to be involved and connected in the community.

I have seen the significant rise in homelessness in the borough and felt compelled to get in contact with Rentstart. I am grateful for what they do in the community and wanted to give back and play a more active role in trying to help the ongoing problems of homelessness and improve the awareness in the borough.

“homelessness does not mean hopelessness”

Biography coming soon

Biography coming soon

I started volunteering with Rentstart a year ago. I had retired from a varied and sometimes hectic job which aptly describes a day in the Rentstart office, so I felt it was a good fit. I find the role very rewarding and particularly enjoy getting involved in the events, which is the ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the wonderful work the charity does. I was recently asked to become an ambassador for Rentstart which is a great compliment.

I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in promoting the great work they do.

I began consulting with Rentstart in early 2024, on the recommendation of another Rentstart Ambassador, as I have deep experience working in the Criminal Justice Sector.  Many people with criminal convictions experience homelessness and have multiple disadvantages. I quickly understood the incredible frontline work that the team does in the local community, focussing on trauma-informed support and kindness.  

I have worked and volunteered in the charity sector for more than 20 years, both in the UK and overseas in Russia and Turkey, using my operational skills to support where needed.  

I am currently the COO at The British Association of Urological Surgeons.