Wellbeing Hub Co-founder Expresses Funding Concerns

The co-founder of a mental health support center has expressed concerns that her charity may lack the necessary funds to continue its operations. Angie Hannibal established Butterfly Effect Wellbeing in Harlow, Essex, in 2019, following her mother’s suicide. In December 2023, the organization’s headquarters underwent a transformation from a temporary structure into a wellbeing hub, orchestrated by Nick Knowles and a volunteer team, as featured in a ‘DIY SOS: Eastenders Special’. Ms Hannibal stated, “We are doing little fundraisers here and there but we are literally living a couple of months to a couple of months.” While the televised renovation created a modern community space, it also elevated the charity’s visibility, leading to an increase in individuals seeking their assistance. “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 further commented. Previously, Butterfly Effect Wellbeing operated from an old container and assisted a small number of individuals. Currently, it has the capacity to support hundreds and operates seven days a week. The facility includes a craft room, a yoga studio, a garden, a quiet room, a kitchen, an allotment, and a multipurpose room utilized for games and food service. However, following the broadcast of the DIY SOS Christmas special on BBC One, there has been an increase in individuals experiencing anxiety and depression seeking support from the center. Ms Hannibal attributed this rise to the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, which she stated have led to more individuals developing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts than ever before. She also noted that local GPs and mental health teams are now referring a greater number of patients to the organization, which has reportedly prevented at least 50 suicides. “We have actually had one person ringing us while they were sat in A&E,” she recounted. To maintain its seven-day-a-week operation, the charity requires £150,000 annually and expressed hope for assistance from local businesses or celebrities. The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust informed BBC News that it does not directly refer individuals to the charity. BBC News is still awaiting a response from the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. For updates on Essex news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.