About Us

The Upper Norwood Library Hub (UNLH) sits on the cusp of 5 London Boroughs (Croydon, Lambeth, Bromley, Southwark and Lewisham). Our professional library service is delivered by Lambeth Council, co-funded by Croydon Council. We work in close partnership with library services, statutory and voluntary sector partners, connecting us to multiple communities and deeply rooting us into the heart of South London. Our library hub operates a co-created community programme focusing on:

Sharing & Learning: Empowering individuals through knowledge sharing and continuous learning

Health & Wellbeing: Promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of our community members

Venue & Performance: Offering a vibrant space for community events, creative performance and community decision making

Outreach Activities: Engaging with diverse communities through our Library without Walls programme

Our Vision

To provide lifelong learning and opportunity for local communities

Our Mission

Designing inclusive spaces for learning, wellbeing and the arts that support local communities and protect and sustain libraries.

Our Values

Inclusivity: open to all, accessible for all members of our diverse multicultural society

Initiative: creativity with integrity

Collaboration: committed to working together, monitor, reflect and learn

Our Community

The Upper Norwood Library Hub serves local residents primarily from Lambeth and Croydon as well as the surrounding boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark.

Over 58,000 people live in the Norwood, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood wards and our aims are to address the impact of a number of complex circumstances, such as poverty, poor housing, health, isolation, inequality & lack of opportunities experienced by many in our community.

The Upper Norwood Library Hub supports the ambitions of Lambeth & Croydon to increase education and employment opportunities, ensure children fulfil their potential and adults age well, that people live healthier, independent lives with the ‘golden thread’ of equity underpinning all we do.

Our Team

jenny irish

Director

Jenny is a Clore Social Fellow and has worked for regional and national charities across the past 19 years with experience in governance, strategy, fundraising, volunteer management and operational delivery. Jenny works closely with the Trustees and the UNLT team to achieve our vision to provide lifelong learning and opportunity for local communities.

Emily Blundell Owers

Project Assistant

Emily was born and raised in Crystal Palace. She is an artist, writer and English graduate, with experience as a freelance tutor, culture journalist, and illustrator. She formed ties with the Hub during her time working as a café assistant front-of-house in the library, and now works with us to facilitate the projects and programmes we undertake.

CHarlotte mugarra d’cruze

Senior Administrator (Maternity Cover)

Charlotte has a background in sustainability, education and the charity sector and runs her own illustration business. Born and raised in South London, she is passionate about community initiatives and fostering accessibility in her work. Charlotte is working as maternity cover to oversee the building facilities and manage the room hires, welcoming the community to the library.

Stephanie ogu

Community Programme Manager

Stephanie has worked in the charity sector in partnership and programme-related roles within the education, community, and sport for development sectors. She has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, logistics coordination, and programme evaluation, supporting initiatives that create lasting community impact. Stephanie will be leading our community events and projects at the hub.

Our Trustees

Grahame DAnby

Chair

Grahame moved to Upper Norwood in 1998 and sees the Library as a major cultural and educational centre for the local community, hopefully for generations to come. A physicist, he currently teaches for the Open University and has previously worked for many years in the House of Commons Library. He became a UNLH Trustee in 2021.

Ade Adebola

Treasurer

Ade is a consultant specialising in carbon, energy and cost reduction. He has years’ experience working at a senior level in the public sector including library service. He has served as both secretary and treasurer to a registered charity. Ade lives locally and is keen to promote the library hub as a vital community space for all.

Katy Parry

Katy lives in Thornton Heath and joined the board in 2024. Katy is an experienced learning and engagement professional, working for education, heritage and arts organisations for over 15 years. She is passionate about increasing access to heritage, culture and nature.

Angela Thomas

Angela is an experienced, senior leadership and programme delivery professional specialising in business improvement, business transformation, and service & operational management for nearly 20 years. She's worked with global industries and UK public and private sectors successfully achieving efficiency outputs and benefits for organisations resulting in improved workforce capabilities, IT & digital technology landscapes and end user experiences. Angela also delivers social action programmes, working with the community and local businesses to support people.

Nazgol Kafai

Nazgol lives in Anerley and works as Senior Impact & Evidence Adviser a the SUN CSN, a global network of over 4,000 civil society organisations working across 60 countries to end malnutrition. She is passionate about building a culture of organisational learning, showcasing impact, taking community-led approaches and harnessing the power of data to drive informed and strategic decisions.

June O’Sullivan

June lives in Crystal Palace and has been a trustee of UNLH since 2018. She is CEO of the London Early Years Foundation, the largest Childcare Social Enterprise in the UK. She is passionate about the rights of a child to have access to a local library with books, space and activities that open up their worlds, but which also enables them to participate in their community. June is a published author and a regular commentator on children, poverty and community.

Andrew Sturtevant

Andrew lives in Anerley and works as a trade union official. He became a trustee in 2021 as he was keen to contribute to safeguarding the important role that UNLH plays in the local community.

TheA Edwards

Thea has lived in Crystal Palace for 14 years, and has been a trustee of UNLH since 2019. She was formerly a Civil Servant, and worked across major domestic, international and environmental policies. She is currently undertaking a career change to law. Thea became a UNLH trustee to ensure the long term provision of a library service in Crystal Palace and all of the educational and social benefits this brings. She is committed to supporting UNLH to deliver educational and arts provision accessible to everyone in the local community.

Sarika Patel

Sarika is a senior PR and communications professional who has lived in Penge since 2021 and became a Trustee in 2024. She is a firm believer in the importance of safe, inclusive spaces to bring local people together as well as the power of the arts to unite and uplift communities.

Katie Finn

Katie is an experienced PR and communications director who has lived in Crystal Palace since 2018. She joined the board in 2022, with the aim of helping the Trust promote the important work it does in both the local community and beyond.