Thank you to the JC for featuring this piece.

When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, parents understandably often neglect their own physical and emotional needs – something Camp Simcha knows all too well.

“We find this is even more of an issue when parents have a child with a serious mental health condition,” explains Camp Simcha Social Work Manager Leat Preston.

“Sadly, parents in this situation sometimes feel less able to share their feelings openly with family and friends due to the perceived stigma; it shouldn’t be the case but often it is.  In addition, they might be walking on eggshells at home and concerns for siblings and what they are witnessing daily is even more pronounced.

“That is why Camp Simcha focuses on supporting the whole family when a child is ill.”

Camp Simcha helps families coping with over 50 different childhood illnesses, from cancer and genetic conditions to degenerative conditions and chronic illnesses – but the last year has witnessed a huge increase in referrals of families with a child with a serious mental health condition*.

Offering a lifeline to Jewish families with a bespoke and holistic package, Camp Simcha provides parents and the siblings of the ill child with a dedicated, trained Family Liaison Officer (FLO) who is there to help pick up the pieces, identifying and working to meet the needs within the family – practical, emotional and therapeutic.

“No family should have to travel this journey alone,” says Leat. “When we begin supporting a family who has a child with a serious mental health condition, the social work team go in and do a full assessment so that we can see where we can make the most difference to the family.

“They will then be assigned a Camp Simcha FLO, who not only puts a range of support in place but also builds a strong and empathetic relationship with the family. This creates and enables a safe and non-judgemental environment for parents to unload their worries – and to accept support for their own needs, as well as those of their other children.”

One family that understands these challenges, and the difference Camp Simcha can make says that the bespoke nature of the support made it particularly impactful for their family after their son’s mental health dramatically declined.

“Shortly after our referral, Leat, one of Camp Simcha’s social workers came over to our home, sat with us and properly listened to what we had to say and then worked out how Camp Simcha could help our family,” she explains.  “She took time, paused and thought, and then introduced us to our amazing Family Liaison Officer (FLO) Talia, who from the second she walked through the door ‘got us’.”

“Every family has different needs and the services offered by Camp Simcha are tailor-made to reflect that one size does not fit all. The support my other children received was particularly important as they were really struggling.

“Our younger son was allocated a volunteer ‘Big Brother’ and that has been amazing, he has grown really close to him.  Recently the two of them went bowling, this was great as it gave him a chance to get out and have one-on-one time with someone he trusted and could talk to out of the home environment.

“For our daughter, it has been the art lessons which have been wonderful, building her self-esteem. She’s now created a gallery of all her pictures in her bedroom, which is lovely for us to see.

“My husband went on the ‘dads’ evening’ recently, which for him was an opportunity to just escape.  He didn’t need to talk but had time out of the home with no judgemental comments.  He came home a little lighter.”

For parents Camp Simcha can be the pressure valve, the person you know you can phone when it’s all too much.

“I was at breaking point a few weeks ago and I couldn’t speak. I messaged Talia as I just needed someone to off-load to and to just be heard.  Camp Simcha and their FLOs are a lifeline – they ‘hold you’ and give you that real or virtual hug when you need it most.  The following day a package arrived at the door for me, and it was full of Spa goodies which Talia had arranged to be delivered.  Sometimes it’s just the small things, and Camp Simcha gets that.

“On another occasion my son was rushed to hospital and Talia arranged dinner to be sent to our home for our other children.  When I couldn’t think what to do Camp Simcha just took over.”

“With mental health it’s often an illness that no one knows about outside of the family,” mum explains.  “The kids’ often want to keep it hush-hush, and so you’re fighting a fire silently.  But Camp Simcha is there, discreetly, to give you an emotional lift.

“If your child is suffering with their mental health – or any other serious illness then please reach out to Camp Simcha.  They will be there to help support you and your other children too, which is absolutely vital when facing the challenges of daily life living and caring for an ill child.”

If you or a family you know could benefit from the support of Camp Simcha, then please do get in touch – email office@campsimcha.org.uk or call 020 8202 9297.   Their bespoke holistic service is free and strictly confidential.