From kosher caterer to Norwood staff member

WHEN BOOKING cancellations because of the coronavirus outbreak decimated Michelle Smith’s kosher catering business, the future was “looking uncertain” for the single mum of two teenagers.

Now the North Londoner will be training to be an assistant support worker for Norwood, having enlisted in the charity’s campaign to attract paid and volunteer help to keep its services operational during the crisis.

Ms Smith said her business “started getting cancellations a few weeks ago. But because people were cancelling simchahs abroad, I was also getting late bookings to take over a smaller UK function. Then even those simchahs started getting cancelled and now I have no income at all.

“Barmitzvahs, batmitzvahs, weddings and engagements can all be rescheduled. But some of the bookings I had were for milestone birthdays and those will likely not be rearranged and that is income I will never see.”

Last week, she posted on her Facebook page that she was seeking work.

“I said I’m not looking for charity — but I found one when a lady I had once catered for got in touch and told me about Norwood’s recruitment drive.

“I’m in self-isolation at the moment but I filled in all the forms and am going for training to work in one of Norwood’s homes. I will be supporting the support workers, doing anything they need — cooking, washing — so they can spend more time dealing with the people.

“I’m happy to do anything but, of course, I hope it’s temporary [she wants to return to catering]. Having said that, getting out and doing this sort of work is a real chance to do something useful in the community. And it will be helpful to me at the same time. It’s definitely better than sitting around feeling sorry for myself.”

Norwood CEO Dr Beverley Jacobson said the charity had been “overwhelmed by many kind offers of support during this crisis.

“We knew we could count on the incredible community at this time and we have so far had more than 50 requests from potential new volunteers.

“On the paid work, our recruitment drive initiative seems to be the perfect way to solve two challenges: Norwood’s need for more staff to enable us to carry on our work and people’s need to keep money coming in during this crisis.”