Camila Batmanghelidjh remembered by Lemn Sissay
1 January 1963 – 1 January 2024 The poet tells of his relationship with the founder of Kids Company, who was the ‘embodiment of integrity’ in her work for children in needI first became aware of Camila Batmanghelidjh through the disrupting influence of Kids Company.It was on the frontline of childcare in London, and everybody will remember the strong, vivacious, articulate woman at its head.There was something about her – how she dressed and the words she spoke – that showed me she wasn’t your average founder of a children’s charity.And then there were the stories that radiated out from her.She had a meeting with the queen, and during that meeting she got a call from a child in a panic, and she took the call, left the meeting and went to that child.
Most heads of children’s charities would not have that kind of contact.It made her a threat to the status quo of the sector and I liked that.We met in 2009 while I was artist-in-residence at the Southbank Centre, and the artistic director Jude Kelly wanted us to meet inspirational people who saw creativity as the heart of their practice.Down the road was Camila at the Kids Company HQ.I remember sitting in her creative office; I got such a warm feeling of welcome and ease from her.
She was Iranian and she was British.She was highly educated but wore it lightly, and she was as at ease speaking to a prime minister as to a child who didn’t know how to talk to her.She wore clip-on earrings because when she worked with children who needed care and help, she was aware they might grab her ear, and that they wouldn’t know how to behave when in disturbed states.She profoundly understood the intricacies of trauma and how it manifests itself in children’s behaviour.Having grown up in care myself, this is why I loved her.
We stayed in contact after that.Ours was a physically distant but emotionally close relationship.I met her at her home in West Hampstead, and probably one other time, but we exchanged a lot of emails, and at Christmas she would send me presents (colourful cups, saucers and bowls; a Christmas jumper; a winter coat).She once wrote me an email that said: “Do you know how much I love you?” in the subject line, and the answer in the first line of her email was: “To Persia and back, one million times.” She got through my walls.
She would say to me, “I see you.I see you.” So when I was less likely to visit her home – for years I didn’t feel up to visiting people in their homes – she wouldn’t disappear.She would stay in touch regardless.Our relationship strengthened in the middle of the furore around Kids Company.
It was closed down in 2015 on the back of false accusations of financial mismanagement and sexual impropriety within the organisation, which were investigated by the police and they found no evidence of wrongdoing.The official receiver’s case against the charity dragged on for years but was ultimately thrown out by a high court after a 10-week hearing in 2021.She was vindicated, but the shunning continued.I was in touch with her throughout, mainly via email, and made public announcements in support of her.She was constantly aware of having to make it clear that she had the legal proof against what was being said, but nobody would listen.
I didn’t believe the accusations against her.A journalist claimed that she’d used Kids Company money to get a big house with a swimming pool, which was nonsense.She lived in a small two-bedroom apartment.There were dark forces working against her, and Camila was full to bursting with light.She was the embodiment of integrity in children’s social care.
I think a lot of people were jealous of her, because when she was being castigated by the powers that be, people standing up for her publicly were noticeable by their absence,I don’t think there’s a better example of a person in the charity sector being so wrongly accused,The judge not only exonerated her and all of the trustees, but also commended them for their brilliant work and their dedication to children,It’s really important to know that, throughout it all and right up until her death, she remained working for and with young, traumatised children and families that needed her help – she didn’t stop,That’s how awesome she is.
They didn’t kill her spirit.There are some extraordinary people in this world, and Camila Batmanghelidjh was one of them.
Trump versus trade: the global economic outlook for 2025 in five charts
Unpredictable change will sweep through America, while old problems, from war to inflation, are likely to afflict other countriesThe global economy is entering the new year with rising geopolitical tensions looming over its prospects, as the world’s leading central banks attempt to cut interest rates after the worst inflation shock in decades.Donald Trump’s second term in the White House is expected to dominate the economic agenda. Global trade tensions are on the horizon as the president-elect threatens to impose sweeping tariffs on US imports.Britain’s economy is faltering while inflationary pressures remain. The largest economies of the eurozone are engulfed in political turmoil
‘Running a bad airline is expensive’: is British Airways finally getting better?
Complaining about BA is a ‘national sport’, but even critics says its £7bn turnaround plan is starting to bear fruitIt’s been a long and turbulent time since anyone used British Airways’ old slogan “the world’s favourite airline” with a straight face. After a decade during which the UK flag carrier was tarnished by cost-cutting, IT fiascos, mass redundancies and strikes, BA was then pushed to the brink by Covid.Hopes of a smooth recovery disappeared like lost luggage on a carousel, as cancellations and delays plagued an airline seen as pricier than short-haul competitors and dowdier than the Gulf carriers. With burgeoning complaints about customer service, pledges by bosses to turn things round were met with some scepticism.And yet, something strange has happened
There’s no reason for older people to fear smartphones | Letters
In wishing to ban smartphones, Tim Watson (nearly 94) throws the baby out with the bathwater (Letters, 20 December). Being of a certain age myself, I remember when nobody in my close family even had a landline.Smartphone use can become misuse but, used intelligently, the smartphone is one of the greatest modern inventions. With mine, I can call people on the other side of the world cheaply or even at no cost; I can use it as a satnav; I do not have to speak to everyone because I can simply send them a text; I can store important information and use any number of apps.I agree with banning smartphone use during school hours – and appropriate use and misuse should be part of education today because, of course, there are dangers
Older music has been getting a second life on TikTok, data shows
This was the year that gen Z had their “Brat summer”, or so we were led to believe.Inspired by the hit album by pop sensation Charli xcx, the trend was seen to embody all the messiness of modern youth: trashy, chaotic and bright green.But on the teenager’s social media platform of choice, TikTok, a more sepia music trend has been taking root.Despite having an endless amount of music to pair with their short, scrollable videos, TikTok users have been raiding the back catalogues of artists from yesteryear including Bronski Beat and Sade to soundtrack their posts.This year set a new high for use of old tracks on British TikTok posts, with tunes more than five years old accounting for 19 out of its 50 top tracks this year
Leicester’s Cole and Pollard thwart Harlequins in thrilling Big Game draw
There may be a grassroots rebellion soon descending on Twickenham, torches and pitchforks in tow, but here was some festive fun before the bonfire begins. Ultimately, it ended honours even – thanks to Dan Cole’s last-gasp try and Handré Pollard’s conversion via a post – and with a slight sense of anticlimax for the sellout crowd. There can be no mistaking they got their money’s worth, however, a nail-biting encounter after a weekend of whitewashes.This was the third time Leicester were the opponents for this annual festive fixture and remarkably, the two previous clashes, in 2008 and 2019, also ended in draws. All the more astonishing is that it was Cole who scored the try to force the draw
Jessie Diggins opens Tour de Ski with first sprint win in three years
Jessie Diggins launched her bid for a third Tour de Ski title with a dramatic victory on Saturday in the opening 1.4km freestyle sprint in Toblach, Italy.“This was a huge surprise,” Diggins said after her first World Cup sprint win in three years, a triumph that left the three-time Olympic medalist elated and surprised. “I kind of thought I was getting old and not ready to have another sprint victory, so this was amazing.”The win was particularly special for Diggins, as Toblach was where she earned her first career podium during a previous Tour de Ski
Nigel Farage working as paid brand ambassador for gold bullion firm
Living standards 2025 outlook ‘hardly cause for celebration’, says UK thinktank
The real test for Nigel Farage will be if donors follow foot soldiers to Reform
MPs do not – and should not – always follow judicial orders | Letters
Labour must not duck House of Lords reform this time | Brief letters
Reform UK claims to be ‘real opposition’ with more members than Tories