Helping hand for survivors' children

5:13pm Tuesday 23rd January 2001

When it comes to second-hand memories of the Holocaust, Tricia Wermuth and Lindy Medway are experts.

A counsellor, bereavement visitor and group facilitator, Tricia, of Layfield Crescent, Hendon, is also the daughter of a Holocaust survivor her father.

She runs a confidential therapy service called Counselling Matters with her business partner Lindy, of Hillcourt Avenue, North Finchley, who is a fully qualified social worker and counsellor.

On February 11 they will be holding a one-day workshop concentrating solely on the children of Holocaust survivors.

"We decided to organise this workshop because we felt there was a need for survivors' children to have a voice. Classes on the same subject elsewhere are geared more towards the survivors themselves and the younger generation doesn't get a chance to convey their own feelings and experiences," says Tricia. "Often their experiences may include feeling different to others, being uncertain about their identity, keeping their emotions to themselves, and raising questions about their beliefs, inner resources and where they belong."

The reasons why survivors' children may be feeling like this can often vary.

"You can easily lose sight of your identity when something like this has happened to your family and you may even start to question your belief in God," said Tricia. "There's a lot of anger regarding religion in these circumstances and some Jewish people admit to asking themselves how could God let the murder and torture of their people in World War II happen when their race is the chosen one?

"Some individuals who come to see us reveal they have a fear of being Jewish whereas others may have become so depressed they feel the world is just too much for them and they need a reason to carry on."

However, Tricia and Lindy hope that their Holocaust Matters workshop will give some help to these people who may not even realise they are suffering from the knock-on effect of their parents' trauma.

Lindy said: "It's a place to explore, in a supportive, confidential and safe environment where each individual brings the experience of living their life as the son or daughter of a Holocaust survivor either on a one to one basis or in a group, whichever they prefer.

"We aim to help people to be able to talk more about their own experiences, the trauma they experience due to their parents' suffering, help them acknowledge that and build on it in a positive forward manner."

The pair also offers short or long term counselling to anyone who feels the need for on-going support and personal therapy after the session.

If you are interested in joining the Holocaust Matters workshop at Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley, from 2pm to 5pm, on February 11, or would like further information on Counselling Matters call Tricia or Lindy on 020 8922 1766. You can also e-mail info@counsellingmatters.com or visit their website on www.counsellingmatters.com for further details.

AROUND THE SITE