Last week, as part of our 10th anniversary, the White River Manor team gathered in London for an inspiring week of reconnecting with old friends, forging new partnerships, and sharing knowledge with the incredible London recovery and mental health community.
Our CEO, Giles Fourie, flew in from South Africa alongside our International Business Development Manager, David Scourfield, while Michele Morphitis expertly curated a week filled with invaluable conversations and collaborations.
Kicking off with community & conversation
The week began with an unforgettable dinner at The Arts Club, where we were joined by Dr Bill Shanahan, Dean Nicholson, and Mandy Saligari—an evening of rich discussions, incredible food, and even better company.
On Tuesday, we had the privilege of touring The Nightingale Hospital and learning more about their outstanding work. A huge thank you to Bhaskar Punukollu, Patrick Maxwell, Stuart Bradbury, and Suzanna Brodie for their warm hospitality and insights.
Later that evening, we hosted a panel discussion at The Bingham Hotel in Richmond, right on the banks of the Thames. Araminta Jonsson, Lou Lebentz, Bhaskar Punukollu, and Dr Niall Campbell led a thought-provoking conversation expertly moderated by Michele. It was an honour to hear from the audience and witness such meaningful dialogue unfold.
A shared commitment to recovery & mental health
Wednesday brought more enriching discussions, including time spent with Al Collingwood, Nick Berry and William McWilliam, who continue to do incredible work in the field.
The evening was capped off with an engaging meeting of minds with Dr David McLaughlan (The Priory), Dr Farideh Banafshei, and Lee Fernandez—a testament to the power of collaboration in our industry.
This week was not only about celebrating 10 years of White River Manor but also highlighting the Recovery Centre at White River Manor, where we provide a 6-week program (£5,000) and a 12-week program (£7,500) within our stunning South African estate. By offering world-class treatment at an accessible price, we are proud to extend our care to even more individuals in need.
A heartfelt thank you
To everyone who joined us this week—thank you. Your dedication and passion remind us of the collective strength within the addiction and mental health community worldwide.
Back in South Africa, Giles and Jeanine will continue the 10th Anniversary celebrations with our dedicated White River Manor and Recovery Centre teams as we reflect on the heart of our work—supporting individuals on their journey to healing.
Here’s to the next 10 years and beyond!
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About Marné du Bruyn
Marné du Bruyn is the Human Resources and Clinical Assistant at White River Manor. With a degree in Psychology and experience as a registered counsellor, she ensures effective communication between the therapeutic team and clients. Since joining in April 2022, Marné has improved processes, and is known for her problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
