Natalie Bell and Coin Street YCP
Nominee Profile
Location: London
Natalie Bell is Head of Youth and Community Programmes at Coin Street and one of its longest‑standing community members, having first become involved in 1989.
Natalie discovered Coin Street while running Cherub, a women’s designer clothing shop at Gabriel’s Wharf. At the time, the South Bank was largely deserted, but Coin Street’s bold belief that “there is another way” immediately resonated with her. Over the following years, she became deeply rooted in the area.
After being made homeless as a single parent with a one‑year‑old daughter, Natalie became one of the first tenants of Redwood Housing Co‑op at Oxo Tower Wharf. Having a safe, secure home within walking distance of work transformed her life. She quickly became an active volunteer within the co‑op, organising social events and chairing the Complaints Panel for three years, saving the co‑op significant resources.
Frustrated by the lack of activities for families locally, Natalie went on to establish FamilyLinks as a volunteer initiative, working alongside local parents to deliver services for hundreds of children, young people, and families. From 2003 to 2014, she served as Director of SE1 United, a youth‑led forum founded by young people themselves—an experience that helped shape her deep commitment to community organising and youth leadership.
In 2002, Natalie became a trustee of both Coin Street Community Builders and Coin Street Centre Trust. She now describes her current role as Head of Youth and Community Programmes as her “dream job,” bringing together decades of lived experience, voluntary action, and professional leadership.
Through her involvement with Coin Street, Natalie credits the organisation with giving her children a safe, creative, and opportunity‑rich childhood, through access to dance, festivals, training, and employment. These experiences helped shape their futures and strengthened Natalie’s own professional journey. She achieved an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management from Bayes business school and has lectured part‑time—achievements she never imagined before her involvement with Coin Street.
Reflecting on the area today, Natalie speaks passionately about its strong sense of ownership and community action.
“People genuinely care about what’s going on,” she says. “That doesn’t mean we agree on everything, but that commitment to engagement is a real strength.”
Natalie is a founder member of the Black Lives Matter Race and Equality Staff Committee, and her team will be participating in the Pride in Southwark Festival at Mint Street Park in June 2026.
In recognition of her long‑standing contribution to the local community, Natalie Bell’s name is permanently engraved on the Bankside building expansion at Tate Modern, following a public vote celebrating her impact on life on the South Bank.
Asked to sum up Coin Street, its programmes, and its people in three words, Natalie’s answer is simple:
“Where I belong.”
Natalie discovered Coin Street while running Cherub, a women’s designer clothing shop at Gabriel’s Wharf. At the time, the South Bank was largely deserted, but Coin Street’s bold belief that “there is another way” immediately resonated with her. Over the following years, she became deeply rooted in the area.
After being made homeless as a single parent with a one‑year‑old daughter, Natalie became one of the first tenants of Redwood Housing Co‑op at Oxo Tower Wharf. Having a safe, secure home within walking distance of work transformed her life. She quickly became an active volunteer within the co‑op, organising social events and chairing the Complaints Panel for three years, saving the co‑op significant resources.
Frustrated by the lack of activities for families locally, Natalie went on to establish FamilyLinks as a volunteer initiative, working alongside local parents to deliver services for hundreds of children, young people, and families. From 2003 to 2014, she served as Director of SE1 United, a youth‑led forum founded by young people themselves—an experience that helped shape her deep commitment to community organising and youth leadership.
In 2002, Natalie became a trustee of both Coin Street Community Builders and Coin Street Centre Trust. She now describes her current role as Head of Youth and Community Programmes as her “dream job,” bringing together decades of lived experience, voluntary action, and professional leadership.
Through her involvement with Coin Street, Natalie credits the organisation with giving her children a safe, creative, and opportunity‑rich childhood, through access to dance, festivals, training, and employment. These experiences helped shape their futures and strengthened Natalie’s own professional journey. She achieved an MSc in Voluntary Sector Management from Bayes business school and has lectured part‑time—achievements she never imagined before her involvement with Coin Street.
Reflecting on the area today, Natalie speaks passionately about its strong sense of ownership and community action.
“People genuinely care about what’s going on,” she says. “That doesn’t mean we agree on everything, but that commitment to engagement is a real strength.”
Natalie is a founder member of the Black Lives Matter Race and Equality Staff Committee, and her team will be participating in the Pride in Southwark Festival at Mint Street Park in June 2026.
In recognition of her long‑standing contribution to the local community, Natalie Bell’s name is permanently engraved on the Bankside building expansion at Tate Modern, following a public vote celebrating her impact on life on the South Bank.
Asked to sum up Coin Street, its programmes, and its people in three words, Natalie’s answer is simple:
“Where I belong.”