We are a small, Orkney-based charity dedicated to enhance mental health support for our young people.
Our charity was born out of a deeply personal tragedy: the loss of a beloved child, Soma L. Veres, to suicide at the young age of 15. In February 2022, we experienced the heart breaking loss of a child, Soma, who was unable to access the critical mental health support he needed in Orkney. At that time, there were very limited support services available for young people in our community. Soma’s family alongside a group of family friends; supporting Soma’s family through this tragedy, decided to organise activities to spread Soma’s light for the first anniversary of Soma’s passing, and help promote the mental health and fundraise for charities who support mental health in Orkney.
Soma’s sister also faced significant challenges in accessing bereavement counselling locally due to her being under 16 years old. This highlighted a critical gap in the availability of mental health resources for young individuals in Orkney, a gap we are determined to bridge.
After a year of successful fundraising and awareness raising events, we decided to register to become a charity – so in February, 2024 we became a registered Charity under the name of Soma’s Light SCIO.
Our mission is to make a lasting positive impact on the mental well-being of young people in Orkney. We aim to foster improved mental health outcomes among the youth and strive to reduce the prevalence of suicide within our community. We are dedicated to raising funds for mental health projects specifically designed to meet the needs of young people.
Additionally, we are committed to empowering our community by providing opportunities for training and skill development for professionals, group leaders, and teenagers. We collaborate with other charities to bring valuable resources and training programs to Orkney, ensuring that those who support our youth are well-equipped to make a difference.
Even if we manage to make a positive difference in one person’s life – it is all worth it.
Soma’s Light’s Mascot:
Soma had a deep love for dogs, particularly Borzois. During Covid, he adopted 2 adult borzois Max and Lexie from Northern Borzoi Rescue in 2020. Our charity mascot, Luka, a 10-month-old Borzoi puppy, was donated to the family by Carol Smetten, who arranged the initial adoptions and was impressed by Soma’s understanding and care for these animals.
Luka’s name means “light” or “beacon of light.”