Sydenham, a leafy gem in the heart of south-east london was the area i lived in when i became a mum in less than desirable circumstances in 2014, and slipped into postpartum depression.

I was 25-years old, with little support from family or friends and in a relationship that would turn out to be the most toxic and draining part of my life for another decade. It was the area where I experienced a loneliness like no other. The place where I believed the virtuous and ambitious side of me was dead and gone forever. The area where I discovered the painful infidelity that was taking place along the high street. Where thousands of pounds was being wasted in a brothel by the man I gave everything to. The area where I felt truly hopeless.

But here is where it gets interesting - I stumbled into a hair salon in that season called Ori-Nism and met the wonderful founder Patsy who picked up my screaming baby from his buggy, burped him and explained to me that he had wind. I started getting my hair done there, but also just strolled down there whenever I needed a chat. It was a lifeline to me. Little did I know that I will become Salon Manager there in May 2026 working alongside Patsy to create a safe-space and haven where beauty and wellbeing is prioritised.

And then it gets even better - after a failed relocation to Dubai in March 2026 saw me technically homeless as my flat had been rented out to tenants ahead of my move - I spent 7 weeks between Travelodges and the sofas of people I barely knew, before being given an opportunity like no other - a tenancy at a home in Sydenham which boasts a separate living space from my own new home, and it was being offered to me with full automomy and freedom of use.

I was being given the opportunity to rewrite my story in the same area where 12 years earlier, I thought my story was over. What favour, what grace… no other thing made sense to me than to turn the space into a tranquil slice of peace within the hustle and bustle of South-East London. To run it as an Airbnb and to call it The Grace House. Doors opened at the end of May and I couldn’t be more proud and excited to see the space being enjoyed by many.