Jewish Care thanks its volunteers 3,000 times

Jewish Care has thanked its 3,000 volunteers for being “the very best of our community” with a week-long celebration.

At a time when charities face unprecedented financial pressures, including rising National Insurance contributions and an increase in the minimum wage, the collective efforts of volunteers have provided an estimated £9 million worth of support to the charity in the past year.

A particularly touching gesture saw community centre members hand decorate and present vases to volunteers as a personal token of appreciation. There was also a series of heartwarming lunches and parties, where volunteers were presented with special “Proud to Volunteer” badges.

A standout moment during Volunteers Week was the recognition of 91-year-old Nettie Keene, who received two special 25+ badges for an astounding 53 years of volunteering.

Ian Grant receives the Saul Keene Award for Excellence from Nettie Keene at the MIKE youth leadership awards (Photo: Jewish Care)[Missing Credit]

Nettie grew up in Ilford and lives in Clayhall, where she, and her late husband, Leslie, brought up their two sons, Danny and Saul. Saul was a youth worker and volunteer. He sadly passed away in 2008 at the age of 40. Since then, Nettie has been tirelessly fundraising for the centre’s activities in his memory and established the Saul Keene Award for Excellence at Jewish Care’s annual MIKE youth leadership awards.

A much-loved member of Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, where she still runs the Knit, Stitch and Natter Club, Nettie said: "Volunteering is so satisfying, and it really is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. I would encourage everyone to do volunteering."

Volunteers are an integral part of of Jewish Care, supporting staff at care homes, community centres and retirement living. They also befriend, help with Meals on Wheels and help out at hubs run by mental health charity Jami, which is part of Jewish Care.

Richard Shone presenting long-service badge to a volunteer at Jewish Care's Sandringham campus (Photo: Jewish Care)[Missing Credit]

Zoe, a dedicated Jami volunteer, said: "I am really grateful Jami and Head Room Café for recognising the important work of volunteers. I love being a Jami volunteer because I am helping to make a positive difference to the lives of people living with mental illness, while being part of such an incredible team and community."

Jo Selwyn, Jewish Care department manager for volunteering, expressed her sincere gratitude. "I want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers. Your dedication and care are greatly appreciated by us all. You all play a huge part in enriching the lives of our service users, enabling Jewish Care to fulfil its commitment to the community. We couldn’t do it without you."

Volunteers enjoying the celebration at Jewish Care's Sandringham (Photo: Jewish Care)[Missing Credit]

Daniel Carmel-Brown, Jewish Care CEO, said: “Each of you represents the very best of our community - your kindness, creativity and your willingness to give of your time so selflessly.”

As head of the only Jewish charity to have received the Investing in Volunteers accreditation for volunteering and good practice, Carmel-Brown said the award recognised “the dedication of our volunteers and of Jewish Care’s commitment to excellence in volunteer management and support”.

The charity, which was formed in 1990 as a result of a merger, is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the Southeast, with services touching the lives of 12,000 people every week.