The community has so far raised an impressive £401,686 to help make Jami’s Talking Therapies service accessible to everyone who needs it – and donations are still coming in. This was the goal of the charity’s 36-hour crowdfunder campaign, Actions Speak a Thousand Words, which took place between 8 and 9 February.
Jami, the mental health service for the Jewish community and part of Jewish Care, launched the campaign to ensure that young people and adults in the community, who are struggling with their mental health, have a safe, non-judgemental space where they can speak openly, feel heard and receive specialist support from experienced therapists.
Louise Kermode, Director of Community Mental Health Services (Jami), said, “Demand for mental health services continues to rise, especially for children and young people. The British Medical Association estimate the waiting list for mental health services in the UK to be 1.7 people.[1] Talking therapies at Jami have a measurable impact on a person’s mental health, from people struggling emotionally to people with more complex mental health needs. We have seen an 85 per cent increase in referrals in the last year for our Talking Therapies service.”
Daniel, one of 436 clients so far who have benefitted from Jami’s counselling service since its start in 2023, says, “When I came to Jami, I was anxious, overwhelmed and unsure about becoming a father. Through Jami’s Talking Therapies service, my therapist helped me to understand fears rooted in my childhood, work through difficult family relationships, and rebuild my confidence. Over time I learned to manage anxiety, communicate better, and feel genuinely ready for the future. Jami didn’t just support me – they helped me become a better parent and a stronger version of myself.”
The campaign owes its success to the one-hundred-plus champions who shared the campaign with family and friends, via WhatsApp messages and their social media channels, and encouraged them to donate to their own individual fundraising page. Head Room, Jami’s social enterprise café, supported by The Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation, also dedicated its monthly Open Mic Night to raising funds for the campaign. Zoe Reese, co-facilitator of Head Room’s music group and community walking group, and a volunteer community befriender at the café, told the packed audience, “Tonight we’re raising money to support Jami’s Talking Therapies. We want to make sure that when someone reaches out for help, Jami can be there. Your donation – whatever you can give – helps someone get support before things spiral, giving them the chance to move forward with hope.”
Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care’s CEO, said, “It’s been so encouraging to see the community get behind Jami’s latest fundraising campaign. From supporters to service users, staff to volunteers, everyone has played a part in helping us to reach our target. And this will have a big impact on the mental health of our community. 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.”
If you would like to donate to Jami’s Actions Speak a Thousand Words, please visit www.charityextra.com/jami
If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit jamiuk.org/get-support/ or contact 020 8458 2223.
[1] https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/mental-health-pressures-data-analysis