Jewish Chronicle Rosh Hashonah (New Year) Magazine article -
September 2022
Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue Annual New Year Magazine - September 2022
StoriBoard
In May 2018, my son Oliver took his own life.
He was obviously in a very bad place, and his passing left a hole in my life and the lives of everyone around us.
But I feel that, although he’s not here anymore, he hasn’t gone away. I converted his bedroom into my office, and it’s remained Oli’s place. His stuff is all over the walls and shelves, and I feel him here in our home.
He also lives on in the Oli Leigh Trust, set up in his name to help charities and people to feel better and prevent suicide. We deliver help to universities and schools to aid people with mental wellbeing and support, and our whole mission and reason for being is Oli.
Talking is vital. Whether you’re a person affected by suicide or someone struggling with their mental health, you only have one life and it’s the greatest gift you’ve ever been given.
Everyone needs space sometimes. I often need time to hibernate, as I call it, and be alone with my feelings, but I know that my friends and family are there to make me feel supported and loved. That’s the most important thing.
Grief is complicated. You’re allowed to cry and you’re allowed to laugh – I sometimes can’t believe that I can laugh after some of the nights of the Shiva we sat through. But I’m here, and you’re here, and we still have the memories to remember and live through.
We don’t always need words, people don’t always have the right words, but they can help. Sometimes we just need to know that we’re loved and looked after. That can help too.
Recently, my oldest son was trying on a dinner suit to attend a wedding. He pointed to me and said ‘Mum, you’ve got something in your hair.’ It was a feather. For me, that was Oli. Whenever I see a feather I know that he’s still here with us.
He was obviously in a very bad place, and his passing left a hole in my life and the lives of everyone around us.
But I feel that, although he’s not here anymore, he hasn’t gone away. I converted his bedroom into my office, and it’s remained Oli’s place. His stuff is all over the walls and shelves, and I feel him here in our home.
He also lives on in the Oli Leigh Trust, set up in his name to help charities and people to feel better and prevent suicide. We deliver help to universities and schools to aid people with mental wellbeing and support, and our whole mission and reason for being is Oli.
Talking is vital. Whether you’re a person affected by suicide or someone struggling with their mental health, you only have one life and it’s the greatest gift you’ve ever been given.
Everyone needs space sometimes. I often need time to hibernate, as I call it, and be alone with my feelings, but I know that my friends and family are there to make me feel supported and loved. That’s the most important thing.
Grief is complicated. You’re allowed to cry and you’re allowed to laugh – I sometimes can’t believe that I can laugh after some of the nights of the Shiva we sat through. But I’m here, and you’re here, and we still have the memories to remember and live through.
We don’t always need words, people don’t always have the right words, but they can help. Sometimes we just need to know that we’re loved and looked after. That can help too.
Recently, my oldest son was trying on a dinner suit to attend a wedding. He pointed to me and said ‘Mum, you’ve got something in your hair.’ It was a feather. For me, that was Oli. Whenever I see a feather I know that he’s still here with us.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6973231889851576320?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
The Jewish News - February 2022
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/mum-of-teen-who-committed-suicide-community-is-not-doing-enough-on-prevention/
Guardian Angel - Guardian Newspaper
30 October 2021
The Guardian Newspaper interviewed our Chair, Michelle on her determination to keep Oli's name alive by creating a trust to help reduce the rate in teenage suicide.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/guardian-angel-how-a-bereaved-mother-became-ready-to-dance-again
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/30/guardian-angel-how-a-bereaved-mother-became-ready-to-dance-again
The Herts Advertiser
April 2021
The Herts Advertiser published an article on 19th April 2021 about the appointment and the work of the charity. For the full article visit https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/first-ambassador-for-teen-suicide-charity-7907730
The Jewish Chronicle Charity Supplement
Feb 2021
The Oli Leigh Trust was thrilled to have an advert and editorial about our charity included in The Jewish Chronicle Charity Supplement in February 2021. This is great exposure for the work the Trust is doing.
The link to the supplement is here: https://view.publitas.com/the-jewish-chronicle/charity-matters-12-feb-2021-sponsored-by-smart-giving
The link to the supplement is here: https://view.publitas.com/the-jewish-chronicle/charity-matters-12-feb-2021-sponsored-by-smart-giving
The Jewish Chronicle
The future is orange in fundraising memorial to JFS boy
https://www.thejc.com/news/all/the-future-is-orange-in-fundraising-memorial-to-jfs-boy-1.516102
Marathon men ready to run after extended wait
https://www.thejc.com/community/community-news/marathon-men-ready-to-run-after-extended-wait-1.521067
https://www.thejc.com/news/all/the-future-is-orange-in-fundraising-memorial-to-jfs-boy-1.516102
Marathon men ready to run after extended wait
https://www.thejc.com/community/community-news/marathon-men-ready-to-run-after-extended-wait-1.521067
The Herts Advertiser
Oli Leigh Trust appoints first ambassador
We are thrilled and delighted to announce that Oliver Moorhouse has become our Ambassador.
The Herts Advertiser published an article on 19th April 2021 about the appointment and the work of the charity. For the full article visit
https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/first-ambassador-for-teen-suicide-charity-7907730
We are thrilled and delighted to announce that Oliver Moorhouse has become our Ambassador.
The Herts Advertiser published an article on 19th April 2021 about the appointment and the work of the charity. For the full article visit
https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/first-ambassador-for-teen-suicide-charity-7907730
Oli honoured by JNF plaque in Israel - The City of Angels
JNF have recognised all the years Oli helped out raising money for them, by planting trees and putting up a plaque in his name in Kiryat Malakhi near Ashkelon.
Podcasts and Videos
ITN evening News – Broadcast on May 02.2021 – Orange4Oli
JW3
It Better to talk
JW3
It Better to talk