Tips on wellbeing when living in small spaces
Philippa, our Senior Mental Health Partnerships Coordinator, presented at the Overcrowding Hacks event on 6 November 2025. This meeting, for council tenants living in overcrowded conditions, allowed attendees to hear and swap tips on using space more effectively at home. Philippa spoke about ways to look after your wellbeing when living in a challenging environment. The content of her presentation, based on the 5 steps to wellbeing model, is reproduced here.
The UK is facing a housing crisis. Councils like Islington are working hard, but in the short term, many people living in overcrowded conditions will not be able to move to a home with more space. The good news is that there are some creative ideas for improving homes and surroundings to help families feel more comfortable where they are.
Tips for wellbeing
1. Connect
Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. Connections can be made with people or via social or creative activities. If you are an Islington resident, the following organisations can help you access activities and other types of support.
Age UK Islington
020 7281 6018
Help on Your Doorstep
020 3931 6080
connect@helponyourdoorstep.com
2. Be physically active
Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness, evidence shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing. There are many free opportunities for exercise in Islington.
3. Learn (try something new)
Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.
- Libraries: www.islington.gov.uk/libraries-arts-and-heritage/libraries/your-local-libraries
- Adult Community Learning: www.adultlearning.islington.gov.uk
4. Notice (be in the moment)
Paying more attention to the present moment, through prayer, breathing, or simply taking note, can improve your mental wellbeing.
The Stress Project – Mindfulness
www.stressproject.org.uk/mindfulness
5. Give (your time)
Volunteering: Voluntary Action Islington
Tips at home – practical support
Shine - Advice for energy support and home insulation, especially in winter
0800 953 1221
www.islington.gov.uk/environment-and-energy/energy/shine
National Energy Action - advice around fuel poverty, mould, and grants for insulation
0800 304 7159
Tips at home – psychological support
- Speak to your GP for support
Camden and Islington Talking Therapies
Free, confidential help for problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. You can self-refer.
020 3317 7252
www.camdenandislingtontalkingtherapies.nhs.uk
Culturally aware / mother tongue therapy
Nafsiyat
The Maya Centre (women)
Emergency/24 hour support
999 for Accident & Emergency
111 for urgent medical help (select option 2 for the mental health crisis support service)
0800 917 3333 for Islington Mental Health Crisis Team
116 123 for the Samaritans
Other tips at home
- As a family/group, discuss boundaries and priorities around the use of space.
- Share ideas and plans around improvements.
- Learn skills to apply at home: cooking and bringing home food from class; sewing to create materials to help partition space; DIY to repair and improve space.
- Freecycle is a grassroots and nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free
Majida Sayam from Jannaty also presented at the overcrowding event
