A ‘big top’ style circus tent and a helicopter waiting to whisk them into the skies greeted Camp Simcha families at the charity’s biggest ever summer residential retreat.

Nearly 115 family members from London, Manchester and Dorset descended on Oxford for respite, incredible activities and peer support, setting the scene for a magical three days, with all their care needs catered for.

Immersed in an action-packed ‘wonderland’ themed programme of activity, the children aged up to 18 were captivated by a circus workshop and dinner, and as the sun went down, a BMX stunt show wowed the families. With day one over, day two had a lot to live up to!
And not to disappoint, the children along with their Camp Simcha Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers, carers and a doctor enjoyed a fun-filled trip to Legoland. Adults had a more sophisticated day out at Bicester Village and spa treatments at the hotel.

In the evening, with the children busy with their volunteers, parents enjoyed dinner for two; a rare moment of vital ‘adult time’ in the life of a family with a seriously ill child.
A wonderland-themed final day saw children revelling in chocolate-themed arts and crafts.

For Claire Hartley and family from Essex, retreat provided a huge emotional boost after an incredibly difficult year.

In April last year their youngest child Rebecca was born with a condition called TOF syndrome, Tracheo-Oesphageal Fistula, an abnormal connection between the trachea and oesophagus where she couldn’t swallow safely with the risk of fluid going onto her lungs. With surgery at two days old, Rebecca has been in and out of hospital ever since, including a month-long stay in Great Ormond Street earlier this year after a life-threatening complication developed.

Camp Simcha came into the family’s life about 2 months after Rebecca was born.
“We haven’t had one school holiday without a hospital admission or trip – so we were almost not going to go to retreat because I thought we would end up cancelling but Robyn, our Family Liaison Officer persuaded us and it was incredible,” said Mrs Hartley.
“Just being able to have someone else do the planning and knowing a doctor would be there and Camp Simcha were taking care of her dietary requirements made such a difference.

“We arrived and were welcomed by staff and volunteers singing and dancing us in; one of the volunteers took the buggy – another was there for my 6-year-old Talia who is normally quite shy but off she went, and I didn’t see her until bedtime.
“The three days were out of this world. The kids loved all the amazing activities, and we just had the best time as a family, a chance to be spontaneous in terms our activities – as well being able to meet other parents who could truly relate.
“It’s been hard to see much joy in the last year, there has been so much sadness and dark days, but the weekend was joyful at every turn and gave us an emotional boost that has lasted well beyond retreat. Time as a family, time as a couple, time alone – it was all so needed. It lifted all our spirits.”

Describing the impact retreat has on the families attending, Camp Simcha Chief Executive Daniel Gillis said: “When you have a child with a serious illness, parents understandably often have to neglect their own needs – emotional and physical, but as soon as they walk through the doors of retreat you see the weight lifting from their shoulders and they know they have a community of support surrounding them.

“With volunteers, carers and doctors on site parents can truly switch off and relinquish some of the care they would ordinarily be dealing with daily. Families leave retreat visibly boosted and recharged to face the challenges ahead.”

Camp Simcha supports more than 1,500 family members each year through a bespoke package of care which also includes therapeutic arts, sibling groups, retreats, volunteers and counselling – ensuring Camp Simcha is there for parents, children dealing with serious illness and their siblings whenever they need.