Tackling problems in a timely way always results in better, more lasting solutions. So a Camhs waiting list of more than a quarter of a million children and young people is a major cause for concern.

Doctor Mark Cox is an NHS consultant working with children and young people in accident and emergency. He’s the founder of one of our partner organisations,‘Orli’. Orli is a group of health professionals dedicated to supporting young people and their families through the waiting period. Mark takes up the story-

Orli bridges the gaps between home, school, and community, creating the opportunity for parents, teachers, and caregivers to build a cohesive support network for young people, wherever they are.‍ ‍

Every family’s journey is unique, and so is Orli. Created by neurodivergent minds, the platform tailors support pathways that match each child’s needs, helping them feel seen, understood and supported.‍ We provide practical tools and guidance, available whenever they are needed. By easing the workload on support systems, the system enables more meaningful, human-to-human connections where they matter most.

We believe that the best way to help young people is to empower the systems they are part of. In our mission to create the best possible solution for families, we’ve partnered with Thiscovery to launch a vital project. We are seeking to understand how families, educators, and healthcare professionals experience these waits and, importantly, how we can help them “wait well.” By gathering your insights, we aim to build a more responsive support system for families caught in this challenging gap.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or healthcare professional, we invite you to take part in our brief 10-15 minute survey. Your feedback will directly influence Orli’s development of resources and tools designed to ease the burden during these waiting periods. Plus, you'll have the chance to share additional thoughts as our project progresses.

Your voice can truly make a difference. Take the survey here and share it within your network. Every response brings us closer to a solution.