Crowdfunder campaign raises £400,000 for Jami’s Talking Therapies service

Jami, the mental health service for the Jewish community and part of Jewish Care, has raised more than £400k from its 36 hour crowdfunder in aid of its Talking Therapies service, which saw an 85% increase in demand last year. .

More than 100 supporters championed the fundraiser which ran between 8 and 9 February, whilst Head Room, Jami’s social enterprise café, dedicated its monthly Open Mic Night to the campaign.

Talking Therapies, which does not receive any government funding, works to ensure that young people and adults struggling with their mental health, have a safe space where they can speak openly, feel heard and receive specialist support from experienced therapists and won’t fall through the gaps as a result of long NHS waiting lists and, for many, unaffordable private care.

Jami’s director of community mental health services, Louise Kermode said: “Demand for mental health services continues to rise, especially for children and young people.”

She added that the service, which saw a major rise in demand last year, can “have a measurable impact on a person’s mental health, from people struggling emotionally to people with more complex mental health needs.”

Thanking supporters, service users, staff and volunteers in the wake of the fundraiser, Jewish Care chief executive Daniel Carmel-Brown said: “By providing a subsidised counselling service, which is accessible and affordable for everyone, we will be able to ensure that those who are looking for support will get it when they need it, and from experts who are also culturally sensitive and understand.

“Owing to the current climate, having a Talking Therapies service specifically for the Jewish community is very important.”