VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
VIVIAN GOLDRING
BEST BEGINNINGS
Vivian Goldring, 59, lives in Hendon and is head of security at North West Jewish Day School. She has volunteered for Best Beginnings, a charity dedicated to ending child health inequalities, since its launch in 2006
Why Best Beginnings? I was inspired by Best Beginnings’ founder Alison Baum, who convinced me that there was plenty that could be done to improve health outcomes for newborns. I wanted to help especially as I have no children myself. It is great to give back to the community, and a pleasure as an Israeli who has been embraced over here, to work in support of a national charity.
What does your volunteering involve? I gather sponsorship for the Asics London 10K run which I do every year for Best Beginnings. I train for the run all the time, and
HARPENDEN
it has become a way of life. I also go into the charity’s office every so often to keep up with what it is doing.
What do you most enjoy about being a volunteer? The fact that friends and family and many parents from NWJDS back me to help the charity to thrive.
What is your most memorable volunteering moment? The actual run I do every year. It is tremendous to hear the many supporters lining the route shouting cheers of encouragement. When I reach the finish it is to help someone else have the best beginning.
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THE
attracted three dozen people to the home of Beverley and Roger Colton for Brian Nathan’s talk on “A Short History of Jewish Food”, which included the fact that fish and chips were originally of Jewish origin. A donation was made to the Melissa Nathan Foundation. Formed over 30 years ago, the group meets in members’ homes.
TAUNTON
THE NEW Somerset Jewish Social and Cultural group goes from strength to strength under the leadership of founder Leonard Daniels and co-ordinator Jane Warner, both of Taunton. Meetings are held in members’ homes, attracting upwards of 30 people from across the county. Mrs Warner said gettogethers “involve nosh, talks on Jewish topics and socialising. A fair number thought they were the county’s only Jews and so have been surprised at how many come along to the
GLASGOW
COSGROVE CARE has halved the price of its two-hour workshops to £10. Adult outreach services manager Gillian Greenlaw said: “While £20 is an accurate reflection of what it costs to provide the workshops, we decided to reduce their cost so as to open them up to as many people as possible.” Workshop subjects include drama, music, yoga, computer training, art and creative writing.
MANCHESTER
THE FED has won a bid from Bury Council to hold weekly threehour art classes with their in-house art therapist, Alex Mazurek. The classes, named the Remember Me Project, begin on April 30 and are designed for people with dementia and the over 65s, and will focus on encouraging attendees to interpret their life story through artistic expression and create a life-history booklet.