Mental health charity Jami is facing the “double whammy” of soaring demand for its services while fearing a drop in donations as a result of the UK’s economic turmoil.

Jami has more than doubled the hours of support it provides during the Covid and cost-of-living crises.

Demand for its carers and family support service has trebled since the start of the pandemic and it has received over twice the number of requests for help from young adults.

And from April to September this year, the number of people receiving advice and advocacy support was 2.5 times higher than previously. In the same period, “individual and group treatment and support” was provided to 668 people and 116 new referrals were made to the carers and family service. To help deal with the increasing calls on its services, the charity now has close to 100 staff, up 50 per cent since the start of the pandemic.

A key appointment has been an impact manager “to ensure we have the most efficient use of services”, chief executive Laurie Rackind told the JC.

“We knew we wanted to grow. We wanted to be assured we were growing in the right direction.”

Yet Jami receives virtually no statutory aid, relying on the community to fund its £4 million budget.

“We have to live hand to mouth,” Mr Rackind said. “We know we will struggle to meet demand. People who have been using our services might now have different concerns over accommodation, rents and employment, only adding to the pressures they might already be experiencing.

“And new people are coming to us because it’s the first time they are experiencing mental health issues — or because it’s the first time they have felt able to reach out for help.”

The financial crisis was causing uncertainty, “which is not good for anyone’s wellbeing. Look at the volatility of the past few weeks, with people being unsure about the financial situation and cost of utilities. It’s hugely anxiety provoking.

“And as an organisation, the double whammy is worrying about whether people are going to continue being able to donate.”

An online fundraising drive last year generated £1.3 million and Mr Rackind was heartened that it was supported by more than 5,000 donors, including many first-timers.

However, the publicity attracted by such campaigns inevitably results in new clients. “It’s a balance of challenges,” Mr Rackind said. “Every time we have a significant fundraising campaign demand will increase.”

A similar online fundraiser is planned for 2023 and in the shorter term, Jami is holding a patrons’ dinner next month.

December will also potentially see the soft reopening of its extended Head Room café in Golders Green, on which construction is continuing.

Its previous incarnation lacked the “confidential space” to support service users, while commercial viability was impacted by the limited dining area for customers and private hire.

With capacity for commercial events rising from 40 to upwards of 100, Mr Rackind is looking for a boost in revenue, with the hope of a similar operation being up and running at its Mill Hill premises by the end of next year.

Although London-based, Jami’s digital provision grew during the pandemic and “we deal with people across the country and internationally. People from Israel, America and Europe join our online café groups.”

Additionally, a pilot scheme is supporting 30 secondary-age pupils — half from JCoSS, the rest from Jami’s client base.

In another development, Jami is taking office space within Jewish Care’s Golders Green campus, where organisations such as Camp Simcha are also based. “Being in that same building can only be advantageous,” Mr Rackind said.

And with up to 70 per cent of those caring for people with mental health needs likely to develop their own mental health issues, “the community will require Jami’s services still further”.