‘Our response has always been to help the needy’

THE JEWISH Volunteering Network (JVN) is facilitating festive volunteering opportunities for families and individuals.

JVN director Leonie Lewis pointed out that, “the number of people depending on charities has risen in the past few years. We all have a greater responsibility to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are cared for.

“The Jewish response has always been to help those in need from all backgrounds and Christmas provides a perfect opportunity for the Jewish community to lend its support.”

Volunteering options include helping at a care centre for adults with learning difficulties on Christmas Eve and delivering gifts and food to those isolated over the holiday period.

It is the fourth year JVN has run its festive programme and it is still looking for volunteers.

For example, people are needed to drive members of Caritas St Joseph’s — a Hendon centre for adults with learning disabilities — to a Christmas lunch on December 24.

Doreen, 71, and Stuart Morris, 70, from Edgware have signed up to volunteer on Boxing Day and will be wrapping presents for survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire, which will be delivered to families in time for the New Year.

“We felt that, because we are retired, it is time to give back,” Mrs Morris said. “Christmas is not an important festival for us as Jews so instead of shopping or going away, we wanted to do something.

“We have never volunteered over Christmas before but it’s something nice we can do together.”

Jody Levy, 48, from Hendon will also be wrapping presents for Grenfell families.

“They have had such an awful year. I am a nurse by trade and I’ve taken a break for the first time over Christmas to do something I’ve always wanted to.

JVN will be open for volunteering inquiries on December 24 and 25.

For those outside London, it has partnered with Community Christmas, which is providing volunteering opportunities with the elderly on Christmas Day.