Over 350 Young Jami Jewish Care (YJJC) supporters gathered at The Londoner Hotel on Thursday 19th February for Jewish Care’s annual Young Professionals Dinner, raising £40,000 for the mental health services provided by Jami, part of Jewish Care, for people living with mental illness and distress from the age of 11 upwards through to adults.
Guests enjoyed a lively atmosphere with dinner and music from a DJ, but at the heart of the event were powerful reminders of the real lives changed through Jami services.
Clark Norton, newly appointed Chair of YJJC and Committee member opened the evening by highlighting the importance of Jami’s work:
“Jami is here for every single one of us, ensuring that there is first class provision for those who are struggling with their mental health in the Jewish community. Jami provides one to
one care, therapy sessions, advice, support for families and much, much more. Jami receives no government funding, meaning the money raised tonight is vital. Without it we would lose services like the incredible social enterprise café Head Room, and many other vital services.
“I am so proud that Jami is part of Jewish Care. We know it is not just our generation that struggle, and it is not just mental health, parents, grandparents and great grandparents struggle too. If you are Jewish and you are in need, Jewish Care and Jami are here for you.”
Mental health challenges in the community are rising, especially for younger people, and the need for support continues to grow. 26% of people are living with mental health illnesses, and that number increases to 55% for those under 25 years old with younger people asking for earlier mental health support.
Emilia Isaacs, Vice Chair of YJJC, introduced an appeal film that brought these statistics to life through deeply personal stories. One young woman shared how Jami supported her as she navigated anxiety throughout her teenage years. With the tools and coping strategies she gained, she rebuilt her confidence and resilience and was inspired to train as a mental health practitioner herself, determined to support others facing similar struggles.
The film also featured the mother of a young person diagnosed with anorexia, who spoke movingly about the fear and crisis her family experienced. She described the profound difference Jami made by being there for both her and her daughter during an incredibly frightening time. The emotional and practical support they received helped them feel less alone, better informed, and more able to cope.
Emilia spoke movingly about Jami’s services,
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact Jami can make – creating real change for real people.
“Jami provides hope through its life-changing services and reaches 3,000 young people and adults every year. This support aids mental health recovery, providing transformative help for families looking after somebody living with mental illness, and educates community leaders on how best to support and accommodate those who are struggling.”
Emilia talked about Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service, and Jami’s Talking Therapies service.
Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service is one of Jami’s vital and much-needed services. It currently operates in JCoSS, JFS, Yavneh College and within the community, supporting those aged 11 to 25 who may be struggling with anxiety and depression, lacking in self-esteem, or simply not coping in their daily lives.
Through weekly one-to-one support sessions with a Jami mental health practitioner, young people can benefit from a safe space to talk about their friendships and family dynamic, develop coping strategies to overcome barriers, establish routine and structure in their lives, and receive help to improve their confidence. They can also get emotional and practical support to help them through exam periods, as well as the day-to-day hurdles that school, university and working life bring.
Emilia also shared that Jami has recently extended its Talking Therapies service to young people aged 11–18, in addition to the adults it has already been supporting. This service provides secondary-school-age children with a safe, non-judgemental space to explore their worries, make meaningful choices and move forwards with confidence.
“Yet as vital as both these services are, the lack of government funding and reliance on the help of the community puts a strain on their ability to help everyone.”
Speaking after the dinner, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, said,
“Thanks to the amazing hard work of our YJJC Committee led by Clark Norton, and with the generosity of our guests and supporters, we were delighted that the dinner was a huge success, raising £40,000.
“As Jami, part of Jewish Care, faces increased pressures in the new financial year, this support from the Young Professionals Dinner is even more crucial to help ensure that Jami continues to provide essential mental health services to those who need them most in our community.”
To donate to Jami and for more information, please visit jamiuk.org/donate/ or call 020 8458 2223.