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When Mary* first accessed mental health support, she was experiencing severe anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts following domestic abuse. Today, she is helping others rebuild their lives.

When I first came to the service, I felt very depressed and anxious. I'd had suicidal thoughts due to the domestic abuse that I'd experienced, and I didn't realise that I was experiencing complex PTSD at the time. Thanks to Hestia's help, I've been able to get practical support with things like benefits and travel passes, as well as making connections through coffee mornings and a walking group. Now I'm so different. I'm not afraid anymore. I'm using my experience to help others, especially women who have been through what I've been through.

Mary's experience highlights the impact that community-based mental health support can have. From 1 August 2026, even more people across north London will benefit from that support as North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) expands its partnership with Hestia across all five boroughs it serves.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Hestia, a charity with more than 55 years' experience supporting people with mental health challenges, will provide integrated adult community mental health support for adults across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. The organisation already delivers these services in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, supporting around 1,700 residents last year, and will now extend its work into Camden and Islington.

The service provides practical, recovery-focused support for people receiving secondary mental health care. Support is tailored to individual needs and can include one-to-one guidance, peer support, community groups, help accessing employment, housing advice and opportunities to connect with local services and activities. The aim is to help people build confidence, reduce isolation and take positive steps towards recovery.

For most people using the service, there should be little day-to-day change. Many staff currently providing support are expected to remain in post, helping to maintain continuity of care and trusted relationships. A single provider across all five boroughs will also help create a more consistent experience for service users and strengthen links between mental health teams, community organisations and local support networks.

Lima Mangal, Community Engagement Practitioner for Hestia, said:

I work alongside NHS mental health teams, supporting people with a wide range of needs. Sometimes someone may be struggling with housing issues. Other times they may be feeling isolated, looking for community activities, or needing help accessing services and opportunities that can improve their wellbeing. What I love most about my role is seeing people make progress, however big or small. It might be helping someone find stable housing, reconnect with their community, access a service they have been struggling to reach, or simply feel more confident and hopeful about the future. Those moments are what make the work so meaningful.

In addition to community mental health support for adults, Hestia delivers crisis support, employment services, community programmes and accommodation services. Through its Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme, the charity helps people with mental health challenges find and keep work, while investing in programmes designed to engage communities that may face barriers to accessing services.

Adele McKay, Deputy Director, Community Care Group, NLFT said:

Voluntary and community sector support plays an important role in helping people with their recovery, confidence and connection to their local communities.

By working with Hestia across all five of our boroughs, we can provide a more consistent offer for service users and reduce unwarranted variation in access to support. Hestia is already an established partner in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, and we look forward to building on this work across Camden and Islington.

We would also like to thank our existing VCSE partners in Camden and Islington, including Mind, Likewise and Age UK, for the valuable support they have provided to service users, carers and staff.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive, Hestia said:

Hestia is pleased to be working in partnership with North London NHS Foundation Trust to provide mental health support to adults living in all five boroughs covered by the Trust.

Initially we partnered in Haringey, then expanded into Barnet and Enfield and from 1 August will work together in Camden and Islington as well. This is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the positive feedback from clients over several years.

We look forward to developing the service even more so that those struggling with their mental health will get timely and effective support in the community.