Suffolk House - London

Summer M.

I spent a month here. The only good experience I had was with the other patients; I received more support from other people with mental health problems than the staff. One staff member named Liz told another patient to "help" me when I was in a crisis.

I saw many people there, including myself be at crisis and isolate themselves. Staff were aware of this and done nothing.

Activities were supposed to be hosted every weekday but were not. When Ofsted came to inspect, the board was coincidentally "updated" to look as if they were acctually doing their job.

The only staff member I have something good to say about is Mohammed and Claire. I felt that they were in the job for the right reasons, because they were passionate about helping individuals, and saw them as a human being just like themselves.

I experienced extreme hostility from Liz, Dominic, OJ, and Anne. One thing i will say, is if you choose to work in this field, do it for the right reasons, not for a paycheck. And expect to have conflict, especially when you're dealing with people with bad mental health. Do not let your personal values clash with your professional ones.

The doctor comes ones a week, and that's if they aren't off "sick". The crisis team come whatever time they please, and don't do anything to help you apart from make notes, that don't actually go anywhere.

There were many situations that occurred in the house, and they were all de escalated by other patients like myself.

Honestly the only people who I can thank is everyone I met in there. You all gave me great laughs and memories. And I hope that if you're reading this, you all achieved your goals, and feel peace within yourself. You are all so strong.

Seriously though, terrible system. I attempted sui*de in the house, and the next day at the ward, crisis team came and were more concerned about who called the police to the house.

I was also told by a staff member midst breakdown that "everyone has their own problems" and to basically just get over it. Staff fall asleep on the job too.

Also, one of the patients were faking their mental health to avoid a court case. Will not go into detail, but staff really need to pull their weight when they have fresh 18-19 year old sharing accommodation with a pe*o.

What I have learnt is that the only people who can help you is yourself.

Sam H.

My mum was admitted there back in 2017 (she was 45 at the time) by the Enfield Crisis team, arranged by Agatha Egwabor (who told her that she had to go there) and agreed upon by Glenda Lee and Josephine Adu, and she had a negative experience with it overall. I was staying at my late grandmother's house at the time she was there (my grandmother passed away in 2023). She seemed to be one of the least ill-minded people in the place, especially considering that most residents there are somewhat mentally deficient to say the least. There was a old, bald bloke that was knocking in my mum's room whilst she was taking a shower at times. There were also strict staff who allegedly took belongings from other residents.

Could've rated one star, but at least the room was nice, which was enough to push it to a two.

And Agatha Egwabor, , if you are reading this, I recommend that you do not try sending her to respite again (particularly to that very place). She's over 50 now, and she is doing fine at home.

Gabrielle M.

Personally, my experience at Suffolk House was quite negative. I was admitted to Suffolk House after an admission to Chase Farm Hospital mental health wards. I felt that the staff did not really care about the patients and that you're left to fend for yourself. I found that staff did not communicate things to me - for example, one morning I was suddenly told to pack all my things now as I was going to be discharged but no one had mentioned being discharged at all prior. Patients have the freedom to leave the house as and when they wish with a curfew of 10pm. Facilities are clean and tidy. Patients have their own bedroom, but all other facilities (including shower and toilets) are shared amongst all patients.

Christine C.

Worst place I ever stayed. It's like hostel where your just left. No support. No activities. No counciling. No care what's so ever. The staff are rude and arrogant. Threaten to trow you out when you have no where to go. The night staff go to sleep on night shift so when need medication there aren't awake to give it to you. The management are awful and so are the staff

JessicaThorpe9

Poorly mannered staff. The vast majority of the staff are not in the business to care, they tend to bark at you rather than talk civily with vulnerable people. I refer moreso to the receptionists, than the counselors who attend daily. Not tarring all with the same brush though. In essence, they just don't seem to care, not equipped to deal with vulnerable people. Not a place for the feeble-hearted.

I knocked the door in reception to tell them a young lady was crying and grieving, the man was watching a movie on his phone eating his Tesco food, and told me to leave. "Good evening hello, how're you" isn't enough to get through!
The environment is OK, nice to speak to all of the people whom had resided there at the time, nice lounge - TV, sofas, books, board games.
I was there since I was dealing with a death. Would I recommend it? If you really need to be there. Learned a lot, and the help is generally there. Daily activities in the lobby were helpful.
One member of staff ..P...shooed you away if you spoke pleasantly and asked for help. Absolute joke.

Funny how only staff members who work there all give it five stars .....

Helen S.

The house is diabolical very run down. The staff are rude, and not helpful at all. As soon as we stepped through the door one of the patients was taking pictures of me and my 18 year old daughter and came on to her and touched her bottom. The staff did nothing about it and said to my daughter well he's mentally ill and so you have to expect that here. It was such a bad experience for her and I would never let her stay there.

I C.

The current new management is lacking a bit but I guess that is what happens. They are open for criticism and learn from it and take positive feedback in a good way. Hence the reason for a 3 star. If I was to return but by the grace of God I hope not my expectations would be much higher than in its current position.

Dan M.

Was a place of safety for me the staff friendly enough, very clean bathroom, kitchen. And bedroom. Cant complain about anything really. Top marks from me