At the heart of The Haven + London beats a wealth of experience.
The Haven + London is an eclectic, vibrant, ever-shape shifting network of artists, musicians, performers, designers, producers, publishers, copywriters and art directors and it is for them that we have a team of people: creating events to reach all four corners of the creative mind, and providing counseling, pastoral care and life-coaching. From a Reverend, to counselors and life-coaches at the heart of The Haven + London beats a wealth of experience.”
Trustees
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and now live in London with my beautiful wife and two amazing daughters. I’ve always been passionate about creativity and the arts, and this lead me to the honour of becoming the first Missioner to the Creative Industries for London Diocese. As well as helping the thinkers, shapers and makers of the world find their path in life, I’m incredibly proud to say that I’m the first theologian in the UK researching the Theology and Fashion at King’s College London, and nothing gives me greater joy that working so closely with my fellow creatives; from fashion to film, oil paints to graffiti. Over the past few years I’ve been featured in Financial Times, Evening Standard, Soho Clarion, Getting Images, Cause Magazine, Church of England News, The Archbishop of York Digest News too name but a few. After setting up the first Anglican Centre for Pioneering Learning, I am now the founder of The Haven + London.
Although my background is in science I have always had an interest in performing arts. In particular, I love contemporary dance and for many years I have been involved in fundraising and the organisation of dance companies. My other interest is sport, especially tennis, and improving access for people with a disability. I have worked particularly with visually impaired and blind players, but I am just starting a new project with young adults with learning difficulties. I have also worked on several successful grant applications and many fund-raising events. I first met Peterson through helping organise Pilgrim’s Progress and his other successful art events at St James, Muswell Hill. I’m very pleased to be working with him again.
For over 25 years I’ve been the non-executive director of the Habitat For Humanity Great Britain and 5 years ago I was honoured to become the Director of Finance for Blind Veterans UK. I’ve also served as a Special Advisor to the Prime Ministers Policy Unit and now, I’m proud to say that I’m the Chairman of The Haven + London. For hundreds of years there has been a strong connection between the creative arts and Christian Faith and judging by the growing numbers of creatives in our network who are looking for meaning, encouragement and support, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be slowing down anytime soon. But it isn’t always easy to meet their needs with limited resources, and that’s the bridge that we’re currently crossing. Building upon the trust, understanding and partnership is what I’m most excited about developing in my role.
I’ve always been a people person. So much so that I’ve dedicated my career as a filmmaker to telling human stories told from the heart. Over the years I’ve made several feature length documentaries for all the major British and International broadcasters, from the BAFTA nominated Tsunami, The Children for 9/11 and WW1: Finding The Lost Battalions to the three-hour rollocking inside story of Live Aid. I currently call London my home, but being a Scot I love nothing more than escaping to the countryside whenever I can – mostly with my very opinionated daughter. Bless her. As we all know, creativity is the lifeblood of our Capital, but being a creative in the city brings with it all types of stresses, strains and pressures. We all need a little peace, an inner sanctum, a place we can get help with our troubles. And that’s why we need The Haven + London and why I’m so excited to be a part of it.
For as far back as I can remember I’ve been obsessed with the creative product and the brave souls who create it. This led me to a career as a Creative Director, which has seen me recognised across the world as a screen content and creative ideas heavyweight. For 20 years, I’ve been at the forefront of audiovisual digital innovation, earning me and my team numerous international awards in film, video, virals, augmented reality, mobile apps, projection mapping, outdoor digital and live event streaming. In going on this journey with The Haven + London I quickly realised how strong the connection was between the Church and the creative and I am looking forward to further strengthening that bond in my work with the extremely talented team.
In a tumultuous world there is a growing need for more support that can be offered to those on the edges of the mainstream. Those within the creative industry face unique stresses and challenges in their day to day. Underlying all of this is often a desire to ask and consider the biggest questions in life; those of purpose, belonging and spirituality. The Haven is looking to address these issues together in one place. I have many years of working with those who have been excluded from the mainstream and am currently privileged to serve as safeguarding lead on the board of a youth charity, TwentyTwenty; while leading the fundraising team at the Diocese of London. I am excited about the opportunity to use my experience of charity governance and fundraising, as well as my heart to help those ‘on the edge,’ to maximise the impact we have on people’s lives.
I study the practice and organisation of creative enterprises, publishing and lecturing on how ideas are transformed into the music, plays, films, images, games and books that help make life meaningful and joyful. I have taught in universities in London and Moscow, Cologne and Shanghai and at each, I hugely enjoy spending time with students as they battle with the ideas and concepts that attempt to explain our shared experience. I believe in the importance of ideas, but know well how fragile they are. Even powerful ideas once struggled to win attention. I think the idea behind The Haven + London is a beautiful one and I am delighted to be part of a team working to make it stronger and reach more people.
Having spent the last decade heading up a consultancy dedicated to the cultural and creative sectors it has been my privilege to witness, research, strategize and evaluate the enormous impact and outcomes of the creative community. On a personal note, like everyone else in the world, I have films that move me to tears, laughter or action, songs that take me back lifetimes ago, art, books and poetry that make me stop and think about life in different ways and clothes and design led things that express who I am. Without creative people these precious things we take for granted would be gone forever. Yet creatives themselves are an endangered species. Rates of anxiety and eating disorders, depression, addiction and suicide are unacceptably high in the creative sector. I became a Trustee of The Haven + London because it’s a mission that I care about profoundly on both a personal and professional level. Faith, hope, love, peace and practical support are surely food for the creative soul. Until Rev Peterson had the vision to set up The Haven the creative community did not have a dedicated place where their complete spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing could be nurtured. The time is now and I’m hugely excited to be part of it!
Pastrol Care and Counselling Team
Kay Lawrence is an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). Kay runs a private practice in Harley St, where she runs a general practice for a variety of concerns, specialising in working with Toxic Shame and adult survivors of childhood trauma.
As a Clinical Supervisor, Kay provides organisational consultancy for charities that work with those disenfranchised in society, as well as corporates.
Kay has set up and rolled-out counselling programmes in London for people who do not have access to private services. She is a public speaker both nationally and internationally, and lectures on accredited training programmes.
As a Clinical Supervisor, Kay provides organisational consultancy for charities that work with those disenfranchised in society, as well as corporates.
Kay has set up and rolled-out counselling programmes in London for people who do not have access to private services. She is a public speaker both nationally and internationally, and lectures on accredited training programmes.
Caroline Brookes is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Caroline works in primary and secondary schools supporting children and young people through a wide range of challenges including bereavement, abuse, and absent parents. Caroline also has a private practice where she works with adults and young people with whatever concerns they bring.
Caroline has particular experience in working for a variety of voluntary sector organisations with clients who would otherwise not have access to counselling. She has a special concern for working with those who feel marginalised.
Robin Lawrence is a Consultant Psychiatrist with decades of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and has practised for many years from his clinic at 96 Harley Street. An authoritative and respected voice in general adult psychiatry, his special interests include depression, anxiety, bipolar affective disorder, adult attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictive disorder and the full range of recognised mental health conditions.
He is also a skilled Psychotherapist, combining the ability to prescribe with complementary talking approaches, believing, as he does, that psychotherapeutic insights are often indispensable to the achievement of positive mental health outcomes. Offering a combined psychiatry and psychotherapeutic service enables him to address patients’ immediate, often debilitating, symptoms, as well as facilitate longer-term change if indicated and/or desired.
Robin Lawrence is available for public speaking engagements on subjects related to adult psychiatry.
Advisory Creative Panel
Celebrity photographer Dave Hogan or ‘Hogie’, as he’s affectionately known amongst his peers, is a stalwart of the glamorous red carpet, concerts and A-list party scene, in the UK and all over the world. Thirty years experience in the business has ensured him the utmost respect from media and celebrities alike and in turn exclusive AAA behind the scenes access to the most sought after photographic events.
Hogie is the official photographer for the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury 2013 and Hyde Park 2013. He’s also worked with Madonna, U2, Tom Cruise, David Bowie, Girls Aloud (he shot their final tour this year), Cheryl Cole, Take That, and MTV.
Recently, Dave has undertaken major advertising campaigns for Hewlett Packard and Dr Dre beats headphones. Charity works includes Comic Relief (most recently the comedian David Walliam’s successful attempt to swim the Thames and trips to Africa), Nelson Mandela 4664 charity, Live Aid and Live 8. His close relationships with major magazines and newspapers and worldwide distribution via Getty Images, ensures that Dave and his team can offer a unique service to artists and their PR and management teams, delivering high-quality editorial content that is featured round the globe.
Hogie is the official photographer for the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury 2013 and Hyde Park 2013. He’s also worked with Madonna, U2, Tom Cruise, David Bowie, Girls Aloud (he shot their final tour this year), Cheryl Cole, Take That, and MTV.
Recently, Dave has undertaken major advertising campaigns for Hewlett Packard and Dr Dre beats headphones. Charity works includes Comic Relief (most recently the comedian David Walliam’s successful attempt to swim the Thames and trips to Africa), Nelson Mandela 4664 charity, Live Aid and Live 8. His close relationships with major magazines and newspapers and worldwide distribution via Getty Images, ensures that Dave and his team can offer a unique service to artists and their PR and management teams, delivering high-quality editorial content that is featured round the globe.
Chrissie Ferber is the director of Concorde Media, one of the most successful and prestigious Media, Event and Celebrity management companies in London. She is known in the industry by her peers and clients for her extraordinary creativity, passion, and attention to detail for what she does. Chrissie has a warm and vibrant personality making each person she meets feel they matter.
The Guardian stated that she is the woman behind many glamorous red carpet, concerts and A-list party scenes. Twenty-eight years of experience in the business has ensured her the utmost respect from media, celebrities and companies, and Chrissie also makes time to help various charities (CTBF/Variety Club/MediCinema/Teenage Cancer Trust) events.
Recently, Chrissie has undertaken The Haven +London as a charity in the making. Her passion for the creatives and artists she help us to make sure that all our events has them at the center.
A community where the creators, thinkers and change-makers of the world can find balance, strength and the courage to grow.
The vision of the Haven + London is to preserve and nurture the spiritual, emotional, and tangible wellbeing of the thinkers, shapers and makers abiding in the arts and creative industries in Central London.
We currently provide one-to-one pastoral care, networking events, arts and music events, and mentoring in locations in London, and we have a team of professional counselors, therapists and coaches.
Our vision and aim is to provide a physical space, to be a home for The Haven + London’s activities and a place for creativity to flourish. Providing exhibition and events spaces, a chaplaincy team on hand to talk to in confidence, meeting rooms, and places for contemplation, we will use the location for spiritual reflection tailored to artists and creatives, for workshops, and for arts and creative performances. As a social enterprise/ charity we are seeking partners; individuals, companies and institutions that share our vision and can provide expertise and resources to make this a reality.
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