Care charity Hestia, which offers housing and support to vulnerable people, is to merge with London based mental health support charity Twining Enterprise.

The charities say the move has been made to “increase capacity and enhance the support they provide for people with mental health needs in times of crisis".

Hestia works across London and the Southeast of England supporting among others people with mental health needs, disabilities, substance abuse issues, as well as offenders and those fleeing domestic abuse.

According to the register of charities its income for the year ending March 2023 was £48.2m, it has more than 740 employees and works with 628 volunteers.

Over the same financial period Twining Enterprise’s income was £1.87m. It has 37 employees.

The merger is expected to take around a year and be completed by early 2025.

“Hestia's mission has always been to support vulnerable adults and children to realise their aspirations and fulfil their potential.

“Joining forces with Twining Enterprise will eventually expand our clients’ access to a fully unified service spanning recovery, crisis support, training, and sustainable employment services,” said Hestia chief executive Patrick Ryan.

Twining Enterprise chief executive Oli Jacobs added: “For almost 30 years, Twining Enterprise has been driven by an unwavering purpose - to improve wellbeing by empowering people with mental health challenges find and stay in fulfilling work.

“Our decision to integrate with Hestia felt instinctive due to our shared values and vision for the future of our clients and staff.

"This integration will empower us to reach new heights together and support more people with complex needs in times of crisis through an expanded range of support services.”

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