In August, Andrew and Oscar Thomas travelled to Barts Hospital in London to meet Kareema Motala and her son Jayden. They talked about Kareema’s ongoing efforts to secure the right care and support for Jayden from Tower Hamlets Council and NHS community services.

Jayden had been cared for at a children’s hospice that has since closed. Since then, Kareema has had to take legal action to get suitable care and support in place for him. That has become even more urgent now that Jayden turned 16 in September, the age at which he is no longer eligible for children’s services. Her story has been covered by the BBC, both on the closure of the children’s hospice and on the virtual hospice Kareema went on to set up.

Kareema is Community Director and Co-Founder of the East London Children’s Community Hospice CIC. She has also started a grassroots WhatsApp group for anyone in London who cares about the future of local NHS services. It was founded by parents and healthcare professionals and is open to everyone, whether you want to campaign, share ideas, share your own experiences of the NHS, or help drive change locally.

If you live in London and would like to get involved, you can join the group on WhatsApp.