Every donation, of whatever amount, is incredibly important to our aims.
Dené (Nai) struggled with poor mental health from a young age. As she grew up, the daily battles that she courageously fought became more and more challenging. At times during her teenage years she received help from statutory mental health services but she felt that their approach didn't work for her.
In August 2016 Dené was again referred for help from statutory mental health services. She was diagnosed with a personality disorder and assessed as medium to high risk of suicide. She was discharged in November 2016 and advised to self refer for further support.
On the 21st February 2017, aged 22, Dené ended the battle, the war that raged in her head on a daily basis, and she took her own life.
She was a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend.
Her passion was helping others, and she was just beginning her journey towards becoming a psychotherapist.
We consider Nai’s House to be Dené’s final gift to all those she would have gone on to help.
Nai’s House is a safe, inclusive space offering holistic mental health support for young people. We focus on early intervention for suicide and self-harm through peer-led advocacy, 1:1 support, and community-driven programs that build resilience together.
Nai’s House offers a different approach for young people seeking mental health support, which incorporates tailored and holistic care provided in a non clinical environment, with a focus on reducing suicidality and self harm. Developed from the perspective of service users and delivered by a uniquely trained team who bring lived experience of mental ill health and suicide, guests have control over the support they want and need, and collaborate with a Nai’s House practitioner to manage their emotional and mental wellbeing.
All children and young adults are important, unique and should be invested in.
Prevention is better than intervention to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and capability to manage during challenging times.
We provide a safe , confidential space for our guests to explore and identify the challenges they are facing and work alongside them to help find what works so that they are better able to manage their emotional and mental wellbeing. We do this through 1:1 support, groups and programmes, with a human touch.
Created and delivered by people powered by passion and by personal experiences, and motivated by the need to ensure that our future generation’s well-being is properly invested in.
"Nai's House is mega supportive to their clients with holistic support and positive goals."
Dené's mum and the founder of Nai's House. I have many years experience of youth work in both the public and charity sector and am motivated by both my personal and my professional experiences. My role is to manage the day-to-day running of Nai's House and to ensure that we're continuously progressing towards meeting our vision and aims for the future.
Helen founded and ran OYAP, a youth arts provision that was firmly embedded in the heart of Oxfordshire. Helen brings a passion and creativity for supporting and empowering young people, alongside her knowledge and wealth of experience in the charity and youth sector. Helen is also a qualified paddle board instructor and loves to travel in her campervan.
Elena is the newly appointed treasurer of Nai's House. Elena has vast experience in accounts administration and governance, given her finance manager roles in local charity organisations. She is also the treasurer of a local PTFA school and has a keen interest in volunteering. Elena loves baking and dancing, and used to be a Zumba instructor.
Jo is a founding trustee at Nai's House. Jo says: “This wonderful organisation and people who run it have a special place in my heart as they move mountains to support young people in crisis. Dené was my goddaughter and the loss of her is felt everyday. Doing what I can -which is never enough - to support those who are supporting the community in Bicester to prevent other friends and families from experiencing devastation through suicide will always be my aim.”
