Ad Hoc Squad offers the young a more appealing
VOLUNTEERING HAS traditionally been associated with those with time on their hands, retirees being an obvious example.
But new Jewish Volunteering Network chief executive Nicky Goldman is targeting young adults to grow the numbers offering unpaid and vital support to both Jewish charities and organisations in the wider world. Ms Goldman recognises that some people shy away from volunteering in the erroneous belief that it will necessitate a regular commitment. In response, JVN operates an Ad Hoc Squad, offering one-time options. “You can have one ad hoc opportunity a year and one training session,” she explained.
The latter is a basic induction to volunteering — “what’s great about it, health and safety, behaviour as a volunteer.
“Ad hoc is very appealing to young people who are time pressed.”
There was also scope for increased involvement among young retirees. “They may have grandparent responsibilities but are looking to use their skills in different ways.” Now in the post for four months, Ms Goldman has inherited an organisation with a database of 7,500, mostly from London and the Hertfordshire borders (there is also a JVN presence in Manchester). Volunteers take on tasks ranging from driving and reception duty to befriending and running events and groups at care homes.
She credits the efforts in building up JVN of her predecessor Leonie Lewis, who coincidentally, Ms Goldman also succeeded as Association of Jewish Sixth-Formers’ fieldworker in the early days of her 35-year communal career.
Since then, she has spent almost two decades in leadership development, initially at UJIA and then at Lead, which has successfully partnered with JVN in a trustee development programme — its next conference is sold out with 120 participants.
Practising what she preaches, she has volunteered regularly, mainly within her own synagogue, Bushey United, on activities such as Shabbat UK. She and her husband also host a “really singy” Friday night minyan over the summer period.
JVN places volunteers with chari
It is brilliant that Jewish people are providing a service to the wider community ’