.jpg)
The Story of Us
The genesis of MamaSuze is a true story about the power of female friendship and resilience in the face of loss.
MamaSuze CIC was founded in 2021 by Annabel Rook and Catherine Milne to support marginalised women and children in north London. The company, a not for profit organisation,
was an immediate success, drawing a pace with a full waiting list and referrals from well-known organisations including Helen Bamber and Freedom from Torture. It continues to provide joyful and popular arts based workshops in dance, theatre, singing and art, together with essential casework support and a creche every week.
Friendship and shared values are at the core of the Mamasuze mission. Annabel and Catherine met when they were 8 years old at primary school in north London where they were dyslexic learners, struggling to keep up. A close bond was formed and they went travelling together in their teens and lived on the same road in their 20s. Passionate about the creative arts, Catherine worked in TV drama and Annabel in theatre.
In 2005, Annabel and Catherine decided to expand their horizons and volunteer in Ghana, at a Liberian Refugee Camp called Buduburam, where 50,000 people were living, displaced from the ongoing Liberian war. They became part of a Liberian grassroots charity, Children Betterway with UNHCR. Here they worked together with Liberian artists, social workers and humanitarians, using the creative arts to work within the community to build connection, increase expression and provide psychosocial support. They were deeply moved by the intergenerational modes of life, something that became central to Mamasuze.
Annabel and Catherine realised they wanted to bring about direct social change and work with people who didn’t normally have access to the arts in their own London community, as they passionately believed that creativity is integral to being human, building connections and being happy. They wanted to create something that was inclusive and holistic, which could support all aspects of women's needs, particularly those bringing up children alone: the idea of creating adult focussed, child friendly supportive sessions, facilitated by an intergenerational team of artists and support workers was born. Catherine and Annabel were delighted to be together every day, laughing lots and doing something meaningful and worthwhile.
However, in June 2025, tragedy struck. Annabel was killed in her home by her partner, who she was trying to separate from. Everyone who knew Annabel has been devastated by her loss. Catherine felt the flame of her life had gone out. But she also knew she wanted to carry on Annabel’s incredible work.
So the MamaSuze community lives on, forever changed but still growing and committed to providing respite and creativity to women survivors and their children, in Islington and beyond. We are a larger team now, with fresh partnerships and artists. The popularity of our group and the resilience of our community makes us proud. We love our work and believe wholeheartedly that it makes a difference to the lives of women and children.
