Children from aged 11 to benefit from Jami’s one-to-one counselling

The charity has also recruited additional qualified therapists to meet growing demand, an investment that will enable the charity to offer further support to the more than 3,000 individuals currently receiving its services.

“The need for counselling, especially among young people, is greater now than ever,” said Louise Kermode, director of community mental health services at Jami. “The support of The Wohl Legacy has come at a time when the lack of mental health services available to people coincides with an increasing number of those struggling with their mental health.

I am so relieved to know that help is available for our teenage daughter to support the struggles that are stopping her from getting on in her everyday life and causing low mood and anxiety. It gives us hope that things might be different

“It can be challenging to talk about how we feel when we are finding it difficult to cope. Being able to provide our clients with an appropriate, warm and welcoming environment to express their emotions is therefore so important.”

Daniel Carmel-Brown, CEO of Jewish Care, which now incorporates Jami, said the “generous commitment” from The Wohl Legacy had allowed for the creation of a “bespoke, welcoming and safe space to conduct Talking Therapy sessions for Jami clients of all ages”.

The Talking Therapies programme provides a range of evidence-based approaches, including psychodynamic, integrative, person-centred and Gestalt therapies. These interventions help individuals cope with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and other mental health challenges.

The sessions are offered in a non-judgemental setting where clients are encouraged to build self-awareness and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping, said Jami.

Lily (not her real name), a teenager, who has been receiving counselling through The Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service, is now also benefiting from fortnightly one-to-one counselling. She said the sessions had helped her work through her struggles with body image and disordered eating. Almost two years later, she says: “I used to feel too self-conscious to join school trips. This summer, I’m going on holiday with my friends.” 

Her mother added: “I could never have imagined this just two years ago. The change is amazing. Jami’s support has made the biggest difference to Lily’s life.”

As the UK faces a mental health crisis, with soaring demand and long waiting times, Jami’s expanded counselling service comes at a critical time for families seeking hope.

Nicole, a parent of a 16-year-old service user who is going to start one-to-one counselling to talk through problems and anxieties, said the change had the potential to have a “huge” impact on the family.

“I am so relieved to know that help is available for our teenage daughter to support the struggles that are stopping her from getting on in her everyday life and causing low mood and anxiety. It gives us hope that things might be different” she said.

Jami: 020 8458 2223

In an emergency, call The Samaritans Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day)

Call the Papyrus HOPELINEUK, on 0800 068 41 41 or text 88247 if you are under 35 or worried about a young person