The mother of a toddler with a serious medical condition has talked about the “emotional boost” she has had from taking part in her first family retreat with Camp Simcha.

In April last year, Claire Hartley’s youngest child, Rebecca, was born with a condition called Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula (TOF) syndrome, an abnormal connection between the trachea and oesophagus, which makes it impossible for her to swallow safely. Rebecca has been in and out of hospital since she was two days old, meaning her mother was understandably nervous about the trip.

“We haven’t had one school holiday without a hospital admission or trip, so we were almost not going to go,” said Claire.

Despite her apprehension, she and her family joined the three-day retreat in Oxford, which she described as “out of this world”.

Rebecca Hartley with her Camp Simcha volunteer (Photo: Camp Simcha)

The mum of four said: “The kids loved all the amazing activities, and we just had the best time as a family. It was a chance to be spontaneous in terms of our activities, as well as being able to meet other parents who could truly relate.”

Camp Simcha’s retreats cater to the families they support, making sure every child’s needs are cared for by volunteers, carers and a doctor, who is always on site.

“Just being able to have someone else do the planning, knowing a doctor would be there and that Camp Simcha were taking care of her dietary requirements made such a difference,” said Claire.

“It’s been hard to see much joy in the last year. There has been so much sadness, as well as dark days,” she continued. “But the weekend was joyful at every turn and gave us an emotional boost that has lasted well beyond the retreat. Time as a family, time as a couple, time alone – it was all so needed. It lifted all our spirits.”

This year, 115 family members from London, Manchester, and Dorset made it to Oxford for the retreat, where the children were entertained with a circus workshop, a BMX stunt show and a trip to Legoland. Adults had a day out at Bicester Village, and received spa treatments at the hotel. In the evening, parents enjoyed dinner for two – a rare occasion when caring for a seriously ill child.

Rebecca's sister Talia with a volunteer at the Camp Simcha family retreat (Photo: Camp Simcha)

Describing the impact the 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.”

"They know they have a community of support surrounding them," said CEO of Camp Simcha Daniel Gillis (Photo: Camp Simcha)

Camp Simcha supports more than 1,500 family members, helping them to care for children with a serious condition by providing therapeutic arts, sibling groups, retreats, volunteer support and counselling.