“You cannot begin to imagine how wonderful it is to see the change in Jake that these sessions bring. He is communicating, smiling, and even laughing!”
Jake is a 12-year-old boy from a fishing family on the South Coast of England. Living with high anxiety and autism, everyday life can be overwhelming. For Jake, the world outside his home is often frightening and challenging, making school difficult to attend.
The strain on his mum, Sarah, is immense. While Jake’s school is supportive, Sarah finds herself constantly fighting to get the help he needs.
“It is stressful and mentally exhausting. I’m forever emailing people and filling in forms,” Sarah says. “One day rolls into the next and I sometimes have no idea where I am with everything.”
Support from the Fishermen’s Mission
Jake and Sarah needed someone who could understand their situation and act decisively on their behalf. That someone was Hayley Hamlett, our Area Officer for the South Coast of England.
Hayley secured funding from the Royal Merchant Navy Educational Foundation to cover twelve sessions of animal therapy for Jake. Each week, Jake and Sarah are able to leave home, giving Sarah a much-needed break, while the therapy brings out the joyful boy inside Jake that is so often hidden.
“Alongside the animal therapy, I’m working with another maritime charity, Stella Maris, to get secure fencing around the family’s house,” Hayley explains. “Working hand-in-hand with our maritime partners means we can improve lives and bring so much joy to people like Jake and Sarah.”
How your support makes a difference
That bright smile on Jake’s face is only possible because of the generosity of people who support the Fishermen’s Mission. From gifts in wills to donations, your support allows us to provide vital services to fishing families across the UK, helping children like Jake thrive despite life’s challenges.
