A CHILDREN’S therapy centre has been given a £1m grant to bring a historic estate back to life.

The Terapia centre in Watford way, Hendon, has been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a further £1m from the Elliot David Simmons Charitable Trust.

The centre leads the way in child psychotherapy and counselling, and the grant will now help restore The Bothy in Stephens House & Gardens in Finchley can begin.

Bozena Merrick, CEO of Terapia, said: “This fantastic news brings us closer to realising our vision for bespoke mental health services for children, young people and families in Barnet and neighbouring boroughs.

“We currently provide counselling and psychotherapy services to schools in the local area but The Bothy’s development will allow us to expand and make counselling more accessible to those who need it most.”

The restoration will provide training and provision in psychotherapy and counselling for children and young people, as well as meeting the need for mental health services in the local area and beyond.

This project will also involve a restoration of the building, providing counselling/psychotherapy rooms, family assessment and sensory rooms for children with special needs plus administration and training facilities.

Andy Savage, Chairman of the Avenue House estate trust, which manages Stephens House & Gardens said: “The trust is delighted to hear of Terapia's success in obtaining grant awards for the restoration of the Bothy and we offer our congratulations to the Trustees and the management team.”