I was born and brought up in Clapham, in south west London, a small, terraced house with a small garden, a tabby cat and many guinea pigs.

It was an area of low income although my memory is that everyone in the street worked. Most of us knew each other.

The little terraced house was my parents’ first home together. My mother was the main earner as a primary school teacher. She worked full time (not very common then) as well as looking after my brother Michael and me. My dad worked as a dental mechanic, having had to give up his dreams of being a lawyer. Once he got into dental school in 1955 and qualified at the age of 50, their earnings increased and we moved to a bigger house just round the corner but on the main road. Dad’s surgery was in our house so it could be seen by passers by. Everyone was welcome and he only ever worked for the NHS.

I was 10 when we moved and I remember my friendships changing to the children who lived closest. We played on the street, on Clapham Common, climbing trees, cycling. I walked to my primary school on my own – Henry Cavendish, a half an hour walk. My secondary school, Clapham County Grammar (later to become a comprehensive), was nearby and I still have important friends from that time.

I had no idea at then that my parents background was so different from that of my friends. I remember slowly becoming aware that they had accents, especially my dad whom many could not understand. I remember also that somehow I always knew about the Holocaust and had no idea that others didn’t.

My interest in families and stories I am sure contributed to me becoming a child psychiatrist, work that I loved. Working with refugees felt like where I belonged and could be particularly helpful but I also loved all the families I worked with and learned so much from each and every one.

I was always interested in family, our family in particular. I love my Jewish roots, my Jewish surname, the humour and zaniness of my Nelki family.

Eventually I put some of the stories together as a book – Villa Russo: A Jewish Story.

I wanted it to acknowledge the terrible things people can do to each other and honour those killed,  but also the good things people can do and the importance of relationships, community and kindness.

There are many more stories than I have been able to tell, and of course, more are unfolding all the time. I hope this archive may act as a resource and spur others to tell their own stories and pass them on.

Here is my start.

I recently co-edited ‘Seeking Asylum and Mental Health’ published by Cambridge University Press.

Available to purchase from the publishers. There is a 20% discount with code SAMH2022.

Contact me