Our team
Loose Baker
They / Them
Creative Community Builder
Loose is a mum, professional fool, and hot-drink lover who is fascinated by creating a sense of belonging in groups of people. Loose has managed a wide variety of events from workshops for one, to large-scale events for thousands. No matter the size of the event, Loose brings a ‘human-centred’ approach, where all parts of all people are welcome. Loose likes cooking, silliness, dopamine dressing and is a secret saxophone player.
Denny Cornuaud
Programme Co-Director
(Maternity Cover)
She / Her
Denny loves people! Denny splits her week between working at Plaistow South Big Local, Culture Within Newham and sitting on the boards of several Newham-based organisations. She wants to make a difference for everyone in Newham. She’s lived in Plaistow for almost 30 years, and is a proud mum and animal lover with SEVEN rescue cats. Outside of work, Denny loves the theatre, concerts, mini breaks – and spending time with people. She’s still looking for a hobby that’s just for her.
denny.cornuaud@culturewithin.org.uk
How to pronounce my name
Sophie Crocker
Programme Co-Director
(Maternity Cover)
She / Her
Sophie is interested in how creativity can create communities. She spent many years living in the North East, working on place-based arts and community programmes. At Culture Within Newham Sophie's role is all about connecting with people, supporting them to deliver projects, and finding new ways for community voices to impact the programme. You’ll often find Sophie swimming, starting (but not completing) a new craft project or visiting a gallery.
He / Him
Sam is a creative soul who thrives on inspiring others to embrace their artistic side and bringing communities together. Whether painting, designing, or working on personal projects, he loves immersing himself in creative activities. Alongside his artistic pursuits, Sam organises events, workshops, and is part of the arts and design initiative The SHAPES UK. Currently, he is gaining hands-on experience as a Cultural Producer Trainee at Culture Within Newham.
Sam Ikhuoria
Cultural Producer Trainee
Lalah-Simone Springer
Digital Engagement Builder
She / They
Lalah is a poet, storyteller and digital marketer who grew up travelling between homes in Dagenham and Green Street. Lalah is passionate about accessible communications. Day-to-day, their role is to develop Culture Within Newham’s social media, website and marketing. This means running digital projects, making graphics, taking photos – all sorts! You’ll often find Lalah reading a poetry collection on a park bench – whatever the weather.
Mo Oguntuase
Cultural Producer Trainee
She / Her
Mo is a student and cultural producer currently on her placement year which she is partially spending at Culture Within Newham. She works on press releases along with comms and some website building. Outside of work Mo enjoys collecting manga and special edition books. Newham is very important to her as someone who was born and raised in the borough while also being deeply ingrained into the community. You’ll often find Mo in a bookshop or searching for Sylvanian Family rares.
Stella Toonen
Programme Director
(Maternity Leave)
She / They
Stella is passionate about giving everyone the chance to discover their creativity. She has previously worked for various museums in London and has spent five years researching how people can be given more power in shaping what culture means to them. She brings this thinking on ‘co-creation’ into her work in Newham, where she oversees the Culture Within Newham programme. When Stella isn’t at work, she is usually at a museum, in a bookshop, at a cinema, or trying out a new restaurant in London.