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DIY SOS Big Build transforms Harlow mental health hub

The project organises men's meet-ups, cooking and craft workshops, and "Chill and Chat" sessions for teenagers

A derelict bungalow has been turned into a centre to help people with their mental health by the TV show DIY SOS, hundreds of tradespeople and the cast of EastEnders.

The Butterfly Effect Wellbeing group's new base in Harlow, Essex, has therapy rooms, a garden and an exercise area after about two months' of work.

Co-founder Angie Hannibal described the new hub as "an absolute godsend".

It is thought a second hub may be needed in future to cope with demand.

Laura Foster/BBC Presenter of DIY SOS Nick Knowles wearing a white hard hat and pink hi-vis vestLaura Foster/BBC
Nick Knowles says people working on the build left feeling "10ft tall"

Ms Hannibal set up the group in 2019 with her mother Chris Dyson who suffered with poor mental health.

But when Ms Dyson took her own life in March 2020, her daughter decided to run the group seven days a week and says she has since helped more than 4,000 people in Harlow.

It organises men's meet-ups, cooking and craft workshops, therapy sessions, a singing group and sessions for teenagers.

'Reassured'

"I still can't believe it to be honest. Every time I go in there I think 'did this really happen? Is it real?" said Ms Hannibal.

John Fairhall/BBC Angie HannibalJohn Fairhall/BBC
Angie Hannibal says it was "unbelievable" to see the transformation the DIY SOS team had made

It is the first time the group has had a permanent home.

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles added: "There aren't the facilities to help people that there should be.

"I'm just reassured there are people like Angie in the world who will put the effort in to do these things."

BBC Studios Yoga studio with mats rolled out and a mountain scene mural on the walls.BBC Studios
There is an exercise room for meditation and yoga
BBC Studios A renovated wellbeing cabin and gardenBBC Studios
The cabin will host therapy sessions, and cooking and craft workshops

How do the DIY SOS team work so quickly?

In October, plumbers, builders and joiners around Harlow were set a challenge - to do six months' work in just six days.

Only 150 were allowed to volunteer on the site each day, but more than double would show up every time.

It meant hundreds were turned away over the space of the week. None were paid.

The show's interior designer, Gabby Blackman, said these numbers show how Harlow wanted to get behind such an important cause.

BBC Studios Clothes hanging up in a walk in wardrobeBBC Studios
There is a clothes bank at the hub to help people keep warm this winter

EastEnders cast members including Perry Fenwick, Gillian Wright and Natalie Cassidy volunteered.

Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell in the soap, said: "For the people around here [this building] will be almost like a Queen Vic - a meeting place where you can get to know your neighbours and not feel on your own."

The full DIY SOS programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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