Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Charity founder who dedicated her life to helping vulnerable, often dangerous children she calls 'urban child warriors,' via a South London project.
On the island
Eight records
these kids taught me about rap. And I think this song is an indication of the regret and the apology a father who hasn't been meeting his child's needs experiences.
I remember this music because I so badly wanted to be able to figure skate. I could skate very well.
it's um because of my French. Kind of experiences that I chose that. And I think poetically, he's brilliant.
The Choir of Cregagh Presbyterian Church, Belfast
when I first arrived at Sherbourne, I didn't know about priests. And all I could see was all these girls in a hall with a man dressed in black with a kind of white collar. And as far as I was concerned, he was shouting, you know. So I it sends um sort of chills up my spine this.
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Jacqueline du Pré, London Symphony Orchestra & Sir John Barbirolli
I've chosen Jacqueline to pray because I can relate to the fact that you could have such incredible music in you, but not be able to play, because of the j degenerative illness she developed. I cannot think of anything worse than having that level of gift and not being able to act on it.
The lyrics are beautiful, and I it's the thoughtfulness of a child looking back on his history.
Redemption SongFavourite
I think Bob Marley has developed into a kind of street philosopher for the kids. This is the person that actually they admire the most. Here you are, these criminal kids have some sense of quality.
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38
Mstislav Rostropovich & Rudolf Serkin
'Cause I think it's really beautiful.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:49When a child walks through your doors, what is it they want? What is it they need?
They need what every child needs. They need loving care. They need nurture. They need somewhere safe to stay. And this is the thing. I think often people forget the humanity of these children. And typical arrival is a th maybe a thirteen year old boy. He's been run by drug dealers, careering drugs. He's uh got health issues. He's not been in school since he was ten years old. And what he wants is somewhere safe. And then, after a few days of trusting us, he will go and bring his younger siblings.
Presenter asks
3:03Is there a danger that you have a romantic notion of these children battling against the odds, when for many they are very unpleasant to be around?
I don't think that it's romantic. I think it's realistic. And I acknowledge that they're really unpleasant. Remember, you know, I have to look after my staff and protect them against the unpleasantness of these children. You know, the debate is divided into demons and angels. And civil society perceives itself as angelic, and these children are the vehicles for demonic feelings. Whereas the truth is that civil society is just as responsible for the way these children behave in damaging ways.
Presenter asks
The keepsakes
The book
Jean-Paul Sartre
But I tell you what I love, Jean Paul Sach's Being in Nothingness. The minute you get the hang of being, he undoes it into nothingness. I love that book.
The luxury
Then it I just think yo-yos are so amazing, aren't they? They're kind of you do something and yet you do nothing. And I love them.
You maintain that what these children need is to be shown love rather than the firm hand of the law or social services?
Because, um If you think of a child who's had every possible violation, they've been beaten, battered th they've had so much violence that they're not going to be afraid of the little threat of violence that society puts in front of them. And they are at a point where they don't care if they live or die. So what we do to them to terrorize them is meaningless to them. What surprises them is when someone can see some good in them and can show them love. Because the battle is these children have finished with living, and that's why they're so powerful. They're like suicide bombers. They don't care if they d destroy themselves in the path.
Presenter asks
23:06Why did you decide to give up working in Kensington and Chelsea and go to the other side of the tracks?
What happened is BBC children in need were looking for a psychotherapist down in South London. … They were funding a post and I interviewed. … And then I realized the central flaw In the care for children, and that is the assumption that behind every child is a responsible carer who's going to take them to an appointment. And I it really got to me, you know and I remember a referral of a seven year old who was trying to kill herself … and when I went to visit her and began working with her in her school … She disclosed that she'd been sexually abused by three men since the age of five, and I think that just kind of did it, because I thought, here is a five year old who went through horrific experiences, had no one to talk to
Presenter asks
25:35Are you ever in fear of your life in the job you do?
I am. Uh actually. And not from the children, funnily enough. but from their parents. And I have I have been threatened with guns, I've been threatened, you know, with all sorts of things, kidnapping. Yeah, every day, every day it's a lucky day.
Presenter asks
31:10You decided very early on not to become a mother. Firstly, why, and secondly, what repercussions has that had for you?
I watched my grandfather, who is a very vocational personality, he is a paediatrician, and he absolutely loved his work. … And I decided that I had to make a choice. It was either my own family, having my own children, Or honouring this vocation. What I was clear about is that I couldn't do both at the same time. and I have not regretted one second of it.
“I think often people forget the humanity of these children.”
“What surprises them is when someone can see some good in them and can show them love. Because the battle is these children have finished with living, and that's why they're so powerful. They're like suicide bombers. They don't care if they d destroy themselves in the path.”
“What I have realized is that a lot of politicians are cowards. Privately they know, and often behind closed doors they'll say to me, Oh, the public will never accept that, Camilla, but it's true what you're saying and I want to turn round to them and say, Where's your guts? Where's your leadership?”
“I really you know, the level at which I operate in this work, I don't have anything to give at the end of the day to my own children. And I would hate my own children to be on the sidelines watching.”