Volunteers wanted for seasonal support

LAST YEAR, Caroline Collins and her family from Borehamwood helped people affected by the Grenfell fire. And Pinner couple Nicola and Ray Green cooked and served Christmas lunch for residents at St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Hendon.

For 2018, communal organisations are offering a plethora of volunteering opportunities over the holiday period.

“Giving just a few hours can have a real impact,” said a spokesperson for the Jewish Volunteering Network. JVN has been placing people for activities including preparing a festive lunch for service users at a centre supporting those with learning disabilities and delivering warm clothing and sleeping bags to those on the streets.

“With minimal skills needed to complete the activities, there is ample scope to involve the family, with tasks suitable for young and old.”

Although many of the volunteering options are geared towards supporting other faith or secular groups, there are also placements within the Jewish community. Volunteers have been sought to help prepare products for Kisharon’s Equal gift shop. JVN is also supporting Tikun’s Light Up A Life campaign and the Gift charity in a project to make gifts for carers at mental health charity Jami.

It is also trying to find drivers to transport staff at Birmingham Jewish Community Care (Andrew Cohen House) to and from work over the holidays. United synagogues will be opening up their kitchens to cook for those in need. The food will be delivered to people both within and outside the community.

US Chesed, which is also backing Light Up A Life, is looking for groups and individuals to distribute boxes of chocolates to staff at hospitals, hospices and day centres. Another Chesed project is collecting surplus Chanukah toys to give to children in need.

“The festive period is a great time to do some volunteering,” said Chesed head Michelle Minsky. “Help us improve the lives of vulnerable people.”

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www.jvn.org.uk/festive