These days it is rear to attend a Celebratory event that gives total satisfaction for the event and its underlying cause). I was privileged to be invited to and attend such an event in honour of 25 years operation of Nailah House, owned and run by a very good friend Jennifer Lapompe.
Below, Jennifer gives us a little insight into the history of Nailah House, her passion for social care engagement, and the celebration of providing a residential care service to young people over the past 25 years.
25 Years of Impact. – 25 Years Walking in Purpose
Jennifer Lapompe
On Friday 9 January, Nailah House proudly celebrated 25 years of operation, marking a significant milestone in its journey of providing residential care, stability, and consistent support to children and young people.
Founded in January 2001 by Jennifer Lapompe, Nailah House Children’s Home provides care and accommodation for young people aged 13 to 18 years. Over the past quarter of a century, the Home has remained committed to offering a safe, nurturing, and purposeful environment for some of society’s most vulnerable children.
Founder Jennifer Lapompe is a Barbadian-born entrepreneur, author, social care provider, international speaker, award-winning humanitarian, and ordained Minister of the Gospel.
Jennifer founded her first company, JaNailah Ltd, in 1997, with a primary focus on preventative services, aimed at reducing children’s entry into the care system. Through JaNailah Ltd, Jennifer also delivered consultancy and training to individuals, organisations, and community groups.
Jennifer’s professional background spans over 40 years of leadership across public and private sectors. She is a qualified social worker, youth worker, community worker, manager, practice teacher, and trained coach, specialising in personal development and business mentoring. Her work has consistently focused on enabling individuals to uncover purpose, develop confidence, and achieve their best potential.
Jennifer’s shares that it was never her original intention to establish a children’s residential home. Having successfully developed a care Home for a London borough, she was inspired to create her own, rooted in her own values. In September 2000, Jennifer purchased a large property in east London and undertook extensive renovations to ensure the environment was safe, welcoming, and homely. By December 2000, the renovations were complete, and in January 2001, Nailah House officially opened its doors.
Reflecting on the realities of sustaining a children’s residential home over 25 years, Jennifer openly acknowledges the challenges of the sector. She describes residential care as one of the most demanding businesses to establish and maintain, requiring constant availability, emotional resilience, and unwavering commitment, particularly in the early years.
Emergencies are frequent, and responsibility is continuous. Jennifer highlights the impact of heavy regulations, including unannounced inspections by OFSTED, and the pressures this place on managers and frontline staff. She describes the care system as operating within a blame culture, making it essential for her to act as a buffer between regulators and her team. Central to Jennifer’s leadership philosophy is ensuring care, value, and protection of staff working on the frontline.
Jennifer purports that “oftentimes, those who care for society’s most vulnerable are the least valued or respected” in society.
Jennifer is currently writing a book reflecting on the realities of operating a care business, drawing on her lived experience, leadership insight, and long-term resilience within the sector.
Reflecting on the journey, Jennifer shared:
“When I reflect over 25 years, I am humbled by the young lives that have been positively impacted. This work has never just been a business to me—my purpose has always been one of service to others. Despite the challenges, the regulations, and the moments when it felt overwhelming, I know I am walking in my purpose. When I reached that realisation, my perspective changed.”
This reflection captures the heart of Nailah House: a service built not only on professional expertise and regulatory compliance, but on deep personal conviction, resilience, and service to others.
Jennifer shared that there has been more than one occasion where she was ready to walk away from the service, highlighting the emotional, physical, and personal toll of sustaining a residential care service. However, purpose, faith, and commitment to young people sustained the journey. There was a moment where she prayed to be released, but felt a tug from God, urging her to continue. Jennifer shared that the realisation that the children’s Home was part of her ‘ministry’, was a pivoting point for her.
Jennifer’s entrepreneurial endeavours doesn’t stop here. Her second company, Essence of Ilia, operates as a transformation-based enterprise showcasing her writing, faith-based products, seminars, and her most recent “Heb Seven” clothing line.
Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2009, Jennifer is licensed to minister globally. In 2010, she founded the registered charity Shai Foundation, which she describes as her ‘ministry’.
The foundation supports the educational opportunities of disadvantaged children and young people impacted by poverty, neglect, abuse, and exploitation globally. The charity’s work spans the UK, the Caribbean, and Africa. Shai Foundation, through its sponsorship programme supported over 80 children in Haiti between 2012 -2021 to get an education and their families food parcels monthly. Shai foundation also built homes for the most vulnerable in the poverty-stricken island. The Foundation has extended its support to Barbados, where it funds the work of the Babbs Reading Clinic. The project teaches disadvantage boys and young men to read.
Jennifer lives in London and has one son, who, through her mentoring and example, was inspired to establish his own children’s care Home, providing accommodation and care for young men aged 16 and over. This continuation of service represents a tangible legacy of purpose in action.
Jennifer describes one of her proudest moments as witnessing her son carry on the work of developing young people, especially ‘troubled’ young men
The 25th Anniversary Celebration
The 25th anniversary celebration brought together past and present staff, family members, friends, and supporters, all united by their shared connection to Nailah House and its enduring values. The event was marked by reflection, gratitude, and celebration, honouring not only the longevity of the Home, but the people who have contributed to its success over the years.
The celebration recognised the loyalty, dedication, and resilience of staff, with shared memories highlighting the strong sense of family, community, and collective responsibility that defines Nailah House. It was a powerful reminder that the Home’s impact extends beyond buildings and policies, rooted instead in relationships, consistency, and care.
From its inception, the vision for Nailah House has been to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people feel protected, respected, and supported to grow into independence. Jennifer firmly believes that “given the right environment, everyone has the capacity to achieve positive change.”
As Nailah House celebrates this remarkable milestone, it looks to the future with renewed purpose—continuing to uphold its founding values while adapting to the evolving needs of young people. The Home remains committed to delivering care that is compassionate, structured, and purposeful, ensuring that every young person is supported to move forward with dignity, confidence, and hope.
Jennifer Lapompe 
January 2026
