Our History 

Hestia began providing support to adults in crisis in 1970 after founder Jim Horne experienced street homelessness in London. He started a soup run for men and women living on the streets and worked with local authorities to provide accommodation. Within the year, over 800 people were provided with a safe space to sleep at night.

Since then, Hestia has grown to support over 22,000 adults and children in crisis across London every year. This includes survivors of modern slavery, adults and children escaping domestic abuse, people needing support with their mental health, and people leaving prison.  

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and South East and the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital.

As we move forward into a new chapter of Hestia, we will continue to keep the voices of the adults and children in our services at the heart of our work.

Beliefs and Values 

Respectful | Genuine | Dedicated | Collaborative | Courageous 

We specialise in trauma and resilience informed support for people in crisis or who have experienced trauma. Working in collaboration with local authorities and our partners, we foster trusting relationships at crucial moments in their recovery, that empower individuals to build a life beyond crisis. 

Guided by the reality of our service users’ experience, we bring their voice to the attention of policy makers, partners and communities and use our insight to push for the change that matters.

In everything we do we seek to be: respectful; genuine; dedicated; collaborative; and courageous.