Camp Simcha families enjoy Oxford retreat
Charity host respite trips for families, who are coping with serious childhood illness.
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
A petting zoo, glow disco, theme park outing, spy mission, laser quest and parents’ candlelit dinner were just a handful of activities Camp Simcha families enjoyed on a few days respite from the stress of having a seriously ill child.
Some 150 family members attended the charity’s two three-day retreats in Oxford this month. With a doctor on call 24/7, all medical equipment and caring needs covered, and over 100 volunteers supporting the children, families were able to enjoy precious relaxation time together.
Single mum-of-three Gina Greenwood was on her sixth retreat. Her son Jake, 8, twin to Harry, and younger brother to Ella, 11, has short gut syndrome with life-threatening complications.
She said: “Jake’s condition is unpredictable. Earlier this year he collapsed and stopped breathing. While he thankfully came through it, it is that unpredictability which means he couldn’t go on outings or trips without me or a doctor present. Thanks to Camp Simcha retreat and programmes like their summer day scheme, Jake doesn’t have to miss out.”
Dr Michelle Jacobs, specialist in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, and a member of Camp Simcha’s medical panel, volunteers her time to be at the three-day retreat, to cover everyone’s medical needs.
“Dr Jacobs knows Jake – and all about his condition,” says Gina. “She has had to step in in the past when he has needed urgent medical attention at retreat. Knowing he is in safe hands, means he can have fun and I can have a break.
“Jake’s illness has also taken its toll on Harry who hasn’t really wanted to leave my side since Jake collapsed in March,” adds Gina. “He gets into a terrible state.
“I had almost got to breaking point when Camp Simcha sent in an art therapist for him. Even just a few sessions have made an amazing difference. When we got to retreat, he went off and I barely saw him for the three days.
“My kids don’t want to come home from retreats and they love the outings, but for me it is my Family Liaison Officer and the other support services which are the lifeline. From tutoring for Ella’s SATS when I had too much on my plate to work with her, to supporting me with travel to retreat because I suffer with panic attacks, what Camp Simcha offers is so responsive and so geared to each family’s needs.”
Camp Simcha chief executive Neville Goldschneider says: “At Camp Simcha our focus has always been supporting the whole family, particularly the siblings who are hugely impacted when a child is seriously ill. We know it is just as important that they are made to feel as special as the ill child. With our fantastic volunteers on hand at retreat we can really ensure each and every child gets individual attention so that parents can relax or seek counsel from our team, knowing all their children are having a wonderful time.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
