DIY SOS wellbeing hub 'struggling' for funding

The co-founder of a centre that provides mental health support says she fears her charity does not have the money to keep it going.

Angie Hannibal set up Butterfly Effect Wellbeing in Harlow, Essex, in 2019 after her mother took her own life.

In December 2023, Nick Knowles and a team of volunteers transformed the headquarters from a temporary building into a wellbeing hub, as part of a 'DIY SOS: Eastenders Special'.

"We are doing little fundraisers here and there but we are literally living a couple of months to a couple of months," Ms Hannibal said.

The televised transformation resulted in a state-of-the-art community space but it also raised the profile of the charity, prompting more people to come to them for help.

"We have got this amazing building and we are so grateful to have this... but we haven't got the money [to keep it going]," Ms Hannibal added.

Butterfly Effect Wellbeing used to be based in an old container and helped a handful of people.

But now it can help hundreds - and is open seven days a week.

The site has a craft room, yoga studio, garden, quiet room, kitchen and allotment - as well as a multipurpose room, which is used for games and serving food.

But since the DIY SOS Christmas special aired on BBC One, more people suffering anxiety and depression have sought it out.

• If you've been affected by the issues in this story, dedicated help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.

Ms Hannibal said the enduring effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis meant more people than ever had developed anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

She said local GPs and mental health teams were also now referring more patients to them, and the centre had prevented at least 50 suicides.

"We have actually had one person ringing us while they were sat in A&E," she said.

The charity needs £150,000 a year to keep running seven days a week and hoped local businesses or celebrities would step in to help.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust told BBC News it did not directly refer people to the charity.

BBC News has yet to hear back from the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.