Broxbourne Has a Charity That Will Never Put the Phone Down on You

There are services in our community that exist because someone refused to look away. HABS Strength in Mind is one of them. Based in Broxbourne, it supports families, children and young people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Mental health crises, school avoidance, family breakdown, bereavement, even the aftermath of suicide.

I sat down with Leigh Cole, the founder and CEO, to understand how she built this service, who keeps it running, and what drives a small charity to take on problems that stretch the resources of institutions ten times its size.

Leigh Cole does not hide where she comes from. Leigh struggled at school and was eventually kicked out of school after many years struggling to fit into that mould. She had undiagnosed ADHD. By most conventional measures, she was not supposed to end up leading an organisation that supports hundreds of families across Hertfordshire.

But she had parents who never gave up on her. No matter how bad things got, they kept trying. Her father told her she had a tenacity that would take her far. He told her not to let anyone knock her down. That belief carried her forward. Over the years she earned a Business degree and a Master's Psychotherapy and Clinical Supervision, building a career in mental health and family support. But when she talks about what she brings to this work, the academic credentials are not what she leads with.

It is a point she returns to throughout our conversation. The people who believed in her are the reason she is here today. And that conviction now sits at the heart of what HABS tries to offer every young person it works with. If a child does not have a parent who believes in them, then perhaps a support worker, a counsellor, or a volunteer can be that one person who does.

"The life experience I'm bringing is what matters. I walked in their shoes. I understand what it's like. That, for me, is worth more than any piece of paper." It is this philosophy that shapes every part of how HABS operates.  HABS see the person, not just a statistic.

It is this philosophy that shapes every part of how HABS operates.

HABS recruits new staff the same way most organisations do, experience and qualifications matter, but they are not the deciding factor, life experience is.

Gabby and Layla, two of her longest-serving team members, Gabby has been with the organisation for thirteen years, and Layla just a little less, both growing alongside the organisation. Their own lived experiences of adversity fuel their passion, which continues to drive the growth of HABS and their commitment to supporting families.

Recently, HABS hired a 22-year-old graduate with a first-class honour in criminology and criminal psychology; however, it was not her academic achievements that secured the role. She had faced her own mental health challenges at school, becoming what is now known as an EBSA student, she had lived the experiences that HABS exists to support. In her interview, the way she spoke about young people and her own journey demonstrated a level of maturity far beyond her years. This passion has brought another dedicated team member into the organisation. 

"My team is at the core of everything we do," she says. "I developed the service, but I cannot deliver it alone. They bend over backwards and dedicate so much of their time to HABS, because they share the passion."

The same principle applies to volunteers that are always calling to support this amazing organisation. HABS recently took on a new volunteer, with a background in consultancy, marketing and social media. Her CV was impressive, but what stood out was her personal story. She is a single mother. Her daughter has EBSNA (emotionally based school non-attendance) and neurodiversity with anxiety. That lived experience was what earned her the role over two other applicants with strong professional backgrounds.

But it does not stop there. At any given time, HABS has around ten trainee counsellors completing their placement hours within the team, as Leigh is also a qualified clinical supervisor able to support other therapists. Currently, Leigh supports both child and adolescent counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as adult counsellors, all gaining valuable clinical experience within the team. Alongside this, there is a wider pool of volunteers drawn from the community who support the organisation, single parents, families,  former service users, and individuals who want to give back to the community or they needed the same help they now offer to others, plus local organisation that want to help the community they live and work in.  

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HABS runs on the commitment of 19 schools and its fundraising efforts. There is no guaranteed income stream. Every pound is earned through charity events, community donations, and, increasingly, creative approaches to corporate funding.

The financial pressure is real. The charity operates in a climate where even families who once had comfortable incomes are now feeling the strain. Disposable income has dropped, donations are harder to come by, and in Broxbourne alone, multiple charities are competing for the same limited pool of corporate social responsibility funding.

To address this, HABS has been exploring new revenue channels. A donation link now sits across their social media platforms. They are investigating legacy giving, where individuals can leave money to the charity in their will. Behind the scenes, Leigh is also developing a creative corporate sponsorship model, which she plans to launch later this year, designed to tap into industries that are already supporting her and the community. 

The immediate priority is clear. The funding they are generating now will go directly into recruiting another new full-time staff member on a two-year contract, working thirty-five hours a week. Increasing capacity is the only way to meet the growing demand. They are also looking at securing funding for a coach and mentor to further build and strengthen the team.

HABS works across schools, homes, and community settings. Their family support workers assist parents with a wide range of parenting challenges, including situations of complete family breakdown. They also deliver group sessions within schools, supporting young people around mental health, neurodiversity, and resilience. In addition, they provide mental health sessions and counselling for children, teenagers, and adults. They work with families in crisis, as well as those seeking support to prevent one.

Their reach extends across Broxbourne and into neighbouring areas plus Bishops Stortford. Schools refer to them. GPs know them. Social workers signpost families their way. And for those who can afford it, private counselling sessions are also available.

One thing Leigh stresses is that people should not feel afraid to make that first step or call. Many families hesitate because they worry about being judged. HABS operates on a non-judgemental basis, because they have been you.   If someone picks up the phone, they will not be turned away and they will not be made to feel embarrassed for asking.

"If it's something we can't help with, we won't just say sorry. We will find the right team for you. We never walk away."  “No one is left without a next step.”

There is an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Leigh references it during our conversation, and it is clear she has built HABS around that idea. She cannot do this alone. Her team cannot do it alone. The builders, estate agents, local businesses, counsellors, volunteers, and parents who orbit this charity all form part of the same structure. A community holding its own together

That is the quiet ambition behind everything HABS does. Not just to deliver a service, but to build the kind of support network around families that some of them have never had. 

Towards the end of our conversation, I asked Leigh to speak directly to anyone reading this who might be in a difficult place right now. Someone who feels overwhelmed. Someone who does not know where to turn

Her answer was simple.

"There is nothing that can't be resolved or so bad that HABS or another service can't support you with it. Just give us a chance. Give us a call, sometimes you just need an empathic ear to listen."

She says they’ve supported families through devastating loss, children, parents, loved ones lost to suicide. And what they see, again and again, is this: no matter how heavy things feel, it is never worth a life.

Their message is simple. Reach out before it gets to the point where you feel completely alone, like there’s no other option. That’s what people need to hear.

Supporting HABS

HABS cannot do this alone. If you are a local organisation, business, or member of the community, HABS is asking you to stand with them. Through fundraising, sponsorship, or support, you can help them reach more children and families at a time when they need it most.

If you are in Broxbourne or the surrounding area and you need support, reach out to your school, your GP, or contact HABS Strength in Mind directly at [email protected] or visit habsfamily.co.uk. If they cannot help you directly, they will find someone who can. They do not judge. They do not walk away. They have been where you are.

HABS Strength in Mind is a Broxbourne-based family support charity. To learn more about their services, volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation, visit habsfamily.co.uk or email [email protected].

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Editor-in-chief | Emeka Ogbonnaya

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