At Meridian, Barnet residents find a place to turn

When you’re struggling, knowing where to turn matters. I visited Meridian Wellbeing at Hendon’s Meritage Centre today and heard service users talk about their lives, from taking part in activities to their experiences of feeling suicidal.

The Barnet Wellbeing Hub, delivered by Meridian, offers a starting point for community support. Staff listen, help people work out what they need and create a wellbeing plan, connecting them with groups, activities or talking therapies.

Meridian’s wellbeing cafés also involve volunteers with lived experience, bringing people together through conversation, games and creative activities.

The figures presented today suggest a wider benefit too: an estimated £975,446 in potential NHS cost savings through the Hub in 2025–26. These are estimates, with the slide citing 2013 prices as its assumptions, rather than confirmed cash savings.

Residents can refer themselves to the Hub by phone or online. That first step means having someone listen and help find support that fits, with opportunities to connect with people who understand.

Sources

• Glenn Herriott’s reporting from his visit, 6 October 2026.
• Barnet Wellbeing Service — Barnet Wellbeing Hub
• Meridian Wellbeing — Better Together Wellbeing Café
• Hub Connections presentation — Estimated Cost Avoidance/Possible Savings: 2025 to 2026