This Mental Health Awareness Week meet Bola, Service Manager for our Highbury Grove Recovery House, an accommodation-based service for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

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Hi, my name’s Bola and I’ve been at Hestia for just over 14 years, working in various roles across a couple of our Mental Health services. I am now the Service Manager for Highbury Grove Recovery House, an alternative service to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis working in collaboration with Islington and Camden Crisis Resolution teams and mental health hospitals in the borough. At Highbury Grove, people can stay up to 14 days and we have 12 bedrooms to accommodate residents whilst they receive support. 

I believe that people can make positive changes in their lives if they have the right support and someone to empower them. At Highbury Grove our team offer daily one to one support, organise activities to aid recovery such as cooking and art, work with residents to create their own support plans and provide aftercare packages to ease them back into the local community.

My role requires me to understand mental health crisis management, know how to deliver services in a way that meets the needs of the people in Highbury Grove and create a therapeutic environment for them. A key part of what we provide is empowerment. My team and I aim to empower people to recognise and build on their own strengths - this is something I love about the role, the ability to empower people to make informed decisions about issues that relate to their lives.  

When I need to prioritise my mental health, I take some time off work and make sure I spend quality time with my family as it helps me recharge.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please speak to someone - family, friends, colleagues anyone you can trust. When I need to prioritise my mental health, I take some time off work and make sure I spend quality time with my family as it helps me recharge. There is help out there if you’re struggling with your mental health.

Find out more about Hestia’s Mental Health services