Camp Simcha launches new emergency service for children and families
UK charity will offer hospital transport and crisis meals to families of physical trauma victims and children suffering from serious short-term illnesses
A Jewish charity, which provides practical, therapeutic and emotional support services to families coping with serious childhood illnesses is extending its services to families where children have suffered a serious accident or severe short-term illness.
Camp Simcha will now be able to say ‘yes’ to children who have had severe physical trauma requiring surgery or hospitalisation, as well as serious short-term illnesses which result in intensive care stays, such as meningitis.
The charity’s Head of Services Daniel Gillis says: “We have been providing unique, bespoke support to countless families with seriously ill children for over 25 years; extending our criteria to families in this traumatic situation is an obvious next step and will fit seamlessly with the work we already do.
“When a child suffers from an unexpected trauma or illness, even a short-term one, the whole family’s life can be turned upside down.”
Whilst Camp Simcha says it hopes all cases like these will have a positive outcome, the focused support it offers “can really help mitigate some of the impact for the family – and stabilise them through the trauma.”
“We have supported a couple of families recently following trauma and emergency surgery. They were, of course, reeling from the shock of what had happened, but we were able to quickly put in place practical support such as hospital transport and crisis meals so that they could focus on their child’s recovery.
“They were given family liaison officers who arranged support for siblings including volunteers, therapeutic arts sessions and activities to keep them entertained, as well as treats and visitors to boost the child in hospital. We also arranged respite childcare to help make the hospital logistics manageable for the parents.”
Camp Simcha was able to support the families for a few months until life began to return to normal.
In February 2023, the charity raised an incredible £2.8m from 13,700 donations in a 36-hour fundraiser.
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