Camila Batmanghelidjh, the founder of the renowned Kids Company charity for children and a prominent advocate for marginalized youth in the UK, passed away at the age of 61.
Batmanghelidjh – known for her charisma, colourful attire and outspoken pursuit of social justice for children – had been ill for many months, though she rallied in recent weeks. She died peacefully on New Year’s Day, having celebrated her birthday with family and friends.
Her family announced that Camila Batmanghelidjh passed away with deep sorrow. She passed away in her sleep on the night of January 1st, after celebrating her birthday with her loved ones.
Camila devoted her life to championing for the most at-risk children in Britain. She was the creator of two innovative charities, Place2Be and Kids Company, which introduced new methods of therapy and treatment to achieve one main objective: “To witness children and young adults become secure and able to reach their full potential.”
Alan Yentob, the broadcaster and former chair of Kids Company, who worked closely with Batmanghelidjh over many years, said: “All of us who worked with Camila are devastated by this news, as will be the thousands of children whose lives were transformed by her work. She will be sorely missed.”
Born in Iran and educated in the UK, Batmanghelidjh rose to prominence after setting up Kids Company in south London in the late 1990s to provide support for youngsters scarred by poverty, abuse, trauma and gang violence, and who had fallen through the gaps of social services and NHS services.
Using her background in psychotherapy, her work captured the attention of the general public, politicians, and famous individuals. Through fundraising efforts, she was able to secure millions of pounds from donors to support the charity’s innovative therapeutic programs for tens of thousands of children.
During her peak fame in the mid-2000s, the media referred to her as the “Angel of Peckham.” She was influential to both Labour and Conservative prime ministers, garnered support from popular musicians and creatives, and was recognized as a passionate advocate for children’s rights and improvements in child protection.
In 2015, Batmanghelidjh and the board members of the organization decided to shut down Kids Company due to their increasing financial issues. These struggles were made worse by a BBC report that alleged sexual abuse had occurred within the charity. As a result, there was a negative response from the public and media. The police later looked into the claims and concluded that there was no proof of any misconduct.
For several months, she faced harsh criticism from certain media sources, despite continuously asserting her innocence. This was a surprising change from her previously positive reception from the press.
The authorized trustee initiated a well-known and costly effort to disqualify her from occupying prominent positions in the public sector, ultimately resulting in a 10-week trial in 2021.
The judge declared Batmanghelidjh innocent and dismissed the accusation that Kids Company was poorly managed and used charitable funds improperly. The judge commended her for her immense commitment to helping vulnerable youth for many years and for creating a thriving charity that made a significant impact.
Batmanghelidjh was appalled by a later investigation by the Charity Commission regarding the downfall of Kids Company, which alleged that the organization was poorly managed. Last year, she was granted permission to take her case to the high court in an attempt to challenge the report, but her health issues prevented her from pursuing the matter.
After the Kids Company controversy, Batmanghelidjh continued her efforts discreetly from her modest apartment in West Hampstead. She provided assistance to at-risk children, offered guidance to schools, and maintained connections with numerous past employees and “graduates” of Kids Company.
Her family’s statement added: “Working alongside her devoted colleagues and dedicated volunteers and donors, Camila changed the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people in London and Bristol otherwise neglected by a failing child protection system. She showed these children that they were worthy of love and support.
She was a continuous source of inspiration, a wellspring of humor, and a vibrant display of color for those in her life, particularly her family.
Steve Chalke, the creator of the Oasis academy trust, collaborated with Batmanghelidjh after the collapse of Kids Company. He praised her as an influential figure and stated that her work with troubled and underprivileged children at Oasis showcased her profound knowledge and genuine passion for helping children.
Source: theguardian.com
