For 50 years, Hestia has provided support and hope every step of the way of recovery.
Today, millions of people are experiencing domestic abuse, modern slavery and challenges with their mental health. Hestia believes no-one should suffer alone.
Together, we can make sure people find a life beyond crisis.
Read our 50 Voices book
Over these 50 years, Hestia has grown from a group of generous volunteers who brought food to people living on the streets of central London to a specialist and multi-disciplinary organisation.
Today we support more than 14,000 people each year. Yet we have remained close to our values and the ambitions of those generous volunteers 50 years ago. In 2010 we were supported by 62 dedicated volunteers. Now, this has number has grown to more than 600 people, with their enthusiasm and skills making a big difference for those most in need every single day.
You can read about the lives of some of the people who have made Hestia the vibrant organisation is today in our 50 Voices series.
Our priority is still to meet the needs and aspirations of those who need our support and those who find themselves in crisis so that they can fulfil their potential and have lives beyond crisis.
Get involved in our challenge events, volunteer or start a new career.
50 Voices: HR expert Joanna joined Hestia as a Trustee more than 20 years ago. She's seen first-hand how are teams operate and do the work they do, and how they change lives every day. She shares her insight. Read more
50 Voices: Rhiannon is an advocate with our modern slavery response team. Over the last five years, she's become passionate about supporting refuges and asylum seekers. This is why. Read more
50 Voices: After time spent in prison, Beth was determined to get life her back on track. After time spent in Hestia's Approved Premises, she's on the right path. Read more
50 Voices: Helen has spent 45 years working with everyone from refugees, to individuals with mental health challenges. Now, she's one of Hestia's domestic abuse service managers. This is her journey. Read more
50 Voices: After struggling with her mental health, Harriett ended up leaving her work. Now she's volunteering with Hestia's Age Well Roehampton service, alongside her little dog Charlie. Read more
50 Voices: Jama is a support worker in one of Hestia's Registered Care Homes. He's also the owner of dozens of wild and wonderful coloured suits. He says they have helped him in his work. Read more
50 Voices: Behnaz is a published author and researcher, exploring religious minorities in Iran and Iraq, forced migration and trafficking. This is what motivates her to continue fighting for vulnerable people. Read more
50 Voices: Ann-valancha is a carer, domestic abuse survivor and artist. After experiencing burn out and a breakdown, this is how she began to recover. Read more
50 Voices: Melody* shares her experience with mental health, and explains how creative writing has helped to pull her out of a dark place. Read more
50 Voices: When Shahan struggled with his physical health, his mental health suffered too. He wants to use his experience to encourage others to find support Read more
50 Voices: Anil joined Hestia's finance and fundraising subcommittee in 2014 before becoming a trustee. He tells us all the things he's seen over the last seven years. Read more
50 Voices: Ian moved into Hestia's Hospital Discharge Service following trouble with his landlord and issues with his health. This is how the team helped him through it. Read more
50 Voices: Melissa started with Hestia in 2013, on a student social work placement as part of her degree. She's now a senior recovery worker. Read more
50 Voices: Rachel started volunteering with Hestia when Covid-19 hit the UK. Now, she's a support worker in one of our refuges. Read more
50 Voices: Lubna* shares her experience of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her husband, and how she has started to recover. Read more
50 Voices: From volunteer at the Simon Community to Director of Operations at Hestia, Gayle Lowery-Jones shares the experiences that set her on a path to a life working in the social care sector. Read more
50 Voices: Vicky, Area Manager of our Registered Care Homes, reflects on why she dreamt of a life helping people - and how she achieved just that. Read more
50 Voices: John became involved with Hestia in 1971, just one year after it was founded. A former Chair of Trustees, John shares a little insight into Hestia over the years. Read more
50 Voices: Kat* was supported by Hestia after being in an abusive relationship. Now, she wants to campaign to help other women - particularly those with no recourse to public funds. Read more
50 Voices: Lyn* moved to the UK from Guyana in the 70s. She tells us how she adapted to life in Britain, and how she found her way to Hestia's Age Activity Centre Read more
50 Voices: TJ shares her story of ongoing recovery and her fight to make talking about suicide the norm Read more
50 Voices: Greg first became a trustee at Hestia in 2002. Nearly 20 years on, he tells us how the organisation has adapted and changed. Read more
50 Voices: After his mother passed away, Manoj was in crisis. This is his story of how Hestia's Good Energy Club played a part in his recovery. Read more
50 Voices: Lesley first joined the Hestia in 1989, and stayed with us until 2015. Over her time, she has seen the organisation grow exponentially. Here are some of her favourite tales from years gone by Read more