THE
Helping Hand
Autumn/Winter 2020
Celebrating Jami's dedicated volunteers
Registered Charity 1003345. A Company Limited by Guarantee 2618170.
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Welcome A very warm welcome and thank you to the many new Jami volunteers Driving and meal deliveries:
Warren Taylor, Janice Bernstein, Simone Saidel, Davida Brown, Kelly Waldorf, Simon Ross, Joanna Pacifico, Ian Warner, Sharon Deaner, Carole Jaffe, Mike Aarons, Caroline Kelly, Russell Collins, Anthony Clifton, Paul Lang, Julie Koopman, Amanda Lever, Emily Flitterman, Sharon Cohen, Jose Grayson, Naomi Samuelson, Jodie Godfrey, Carole Shaw, Laurence Broch, Michelle Mizrachi, Renee Murad Compeer/befriending:
Caroline Bacall, Jilly Black, Diana Middleweek, Glenn Kirschner, Marsha Crown, David Hyman, Jess Green, Ian Warner, Sharon Barnett, Michelle Mizrachi, Lauren Anysz, Shilpi Bhatia, Joanne Rickless, Jacqueline Garfield, Adena Kohn, Lia Bogod, Gillian Gruder, Emma Breger, Rebecca Millett, Raquel Lewin Data analysis:
Josh Carson and Hannah Cohen
Your help has been very much appreciated - thank you!
Unlocking the lockdown Over the past few months, our lives and routines have drastically changed. We have made way for this new way of life with incredibly quick agility in response to the changing landscape and new lockdown rules. Jami volunteers have been at the heart of these changes where, practically overnight, services were moved to virtual platforms including our hub and Head Room Café timetables. This has meant that Jami has been able to replicate in-person services as much as possible under these new rules. During this time of uncertainty and upheaval, 148 people have come forward to offer help in supporting our members. Such volunteer roles included delivering meals, telephone befriending as well as facilitators to help run online hub and Head Room café sessions. One person who has been instrumental in facilitating this change is Priscilla van der Velde who coordinates Jami’s Edgware hub. Priscilla has kindly written a heartfelt update on the different ways in which Jami volunteers have helped, and how much she appreciates their contribution and support. Turn over to see the update.
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News & updates A letter from the heart by Priscilla Van der Velde
Hub volunteers have been very supportive of the online Zoom groups. Here’s what some have been up to! Madeleine Guderley runs a keep fit session every Tuesday morning.
I’m very grateful for everything that they do. As well as those who run and co-facilitate groups, it really means a lot to the members when they see the volunteers. They are a friendly face, a fresh source of news, someone to talk to and to share the experience of the group, and of lockdown with. Volunteer participation also means a lot to me and other staff members, who feel supported not only in maintaining a good atmosphere throughout the group, but who are also helped with group content and fed ideas to keep the programme fresh and lively. As usual we couldn’t do it without our volunteers. They really are an amazing group of talented, caring and involved individuals.
Jon Bromberg co-facilitates the quiz every Tuesday with Andrew. Sharon Barnett and Richard Estrin co-facilitate the Creative Writing group every Wednesday. Steve Colman and Tony Kaye co-facilitate the Music Appreciation group every other Thursday. Sarah Davis runs the Play Reading group every other Thursday. Sue Moore co-facilitates the Coffee and Conversation Breakout Room on Friday mornings. Other volunteers who regularly attend the Hubs Online groups to support the members and add to the great atmosphere, include Louise Feldman, Dinny Charkham, Philippa Blaker, David Hyman, Maurice Selwyn, Davida Brown, Roz Nelson and Jess Green.
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Volunteer news Going the extra mile – our food delivery and door-step chat volunteers We are immensely proud of Jami’s meal delivery and door-step chat service, which emerged in rapid response to lockdown. This is a volunteer-led service co-ordinated by Muriel Stempel, our Events Manager, with 47 volunteers who have offered help.
For many who are shielding and unable to leave their homes, lockdown and the looming threat of Covid-19 presented even more challenges and obstacles. Not only have our members been supplied with nutritious meals, delivered to their doorstep, but also a chance to have a friendly chat with our volunteers; something which we know makes the world of difference. Here is some of the feedback from our members;
As part of ‘volunteers’ week’ we hosted the first ever Jami volunteers’ virtual meeting where 58 volunteers were welcomed by the Chair of Trustees, Adam Dawson, and Chief Executive, Laurie Rackind.
really helpful because it’s made me feel better about myself” “I am not feeling great at the moment as I have health conditions and diabetes. I am not feeling well enough at the moment to cook. This is really a great service for me, at least I know twice a week I’m getting some really good food”
“It makes me feel that someone is there for me, that someone will know if anything is wrong with me, makes me feel loved and cared about.”
This vital service has not only provided people with a basic need of food but offered reassurance to our members in the most unsettling of times. None of this would be possible without the commitment and dedication of our extraordinary volunteers. Thank you!
“This service makes me realise that I am not alone, and people out there actually care about me.”
From the beginning of March to the end of July, there has been an incredible 1282 food deliveries made to our members!!
“Just another wonderful connection”
Our thanks, appreciation, and gratitude goes to all of those involved in delivering this service.
“Helps me feel a bit more relevant / important and that I haven’t been forgotten. It’s been
First of many firsts: high turnout for 1st ever Jami volunteers’ Q and A Zoom meeting
Adam opened by saying that he was very proud of the work that Jami was doing during lockdown, and that Jami volunteers are the “beating heart of everything we do.” This was echoed by Jami CEO, Laurie Rackind, who said that it would be impossible to function without volunteers and thanked you all for everything you are doing. A number of questions and comments followed about reopening the hubs, café, shop and warehouse, meal deliveries, fundraising in lockdown, using Zoom, how technology was being made available to service users, doorstep chats, increasing demands upon Jami, communications, new provision for youth, medical advice provided to Jami and the new Compeer service. Thanks to everybody who attended and contributed to make it such a success.
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Volunteer news First of many firsts: Head Room Education offers first Zoom training for Jami volunteers Our education team organised and delivered the first ever Head Room education training on Zoom especially for Jami volunteers. The training was called “managing uncertainty and selfcare”, and it was led by Emma Dorman, Jami’s Senior Education Coordinator.
This training was designed to give practical tips to help our volunteers fight the effects of lockdown, manage wellbeing, and for volunteers to share what has personally worked for them during this time. Our thanks go to everybody who attended this uplifting training course and to Emma for putting it all together so effectively.
“Thank you everyone, especially Emma Dorman - this has made my day, on a very difficult day. Thanks also to Emma Reynolds good to meet you!” - Jami volunteer
Introducing the new Volunteer Prospectus
Head Room Education are just putting the finishing touches to the 2020/21 edition of their annual prospectus. A full and comprehensive training and group work package that is made available to the Jami and wider community every year. This year we’ve worked closer than ever with the Education team.
"It's been really exciting to develop bespoke courses for our fantastic volunteers. Working closely has meant that we are able to offer some courses co-facilitated between Volunteering and Education. This year's programme is more collaborative than ever and will mean that each course is meticulously planned to meet the needs of our volunteers." Philippa Carr, Education Manager Exciting courses for volunteers include:
Facilitation Skills Online
For all our current volunteer opportunities go to jamiuk.org/volunteer
Running or facilitating a group online comes with its own unique set of challenges. From ensuring everyone can contribute in a way they feel comfortable to navigating the ups and downs of technology. Join us to discuss key theories for group dynamics and facilitation alongside the nuances of facilitating in the virtual world. How comfortable are we as facilitators? Let us help you to realise the leader in you and take away more knowledge, understanding and experience. Cost: The course is free for current Jami volunteers or £25 per person, you will be asked where you volunteer when booking.
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Sept 2020 Wednesday
2.00 – 4.30pm
Online via Zoom
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Volunteer news Burnout and Self Care
Working with ‘Vulnerable People’
The response of the Jewish community to the COVID-19 crisis was rapid, offering practical, social and emotional support in new and creative ways. We all have different experiences of caring for others during COVID-19. Do you feel emotionally worn out or find yourself looking for quick fixes that do not help? Whatever your role as a carer whether it be for family or as a professional, join us to ponder the ‘cost’ of caring, how to recognise burnout and find strategies for prevention and recovery. The course is free for current Jami volunteers or £25 per person, you will be asked where you volunteer when booking
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Nov 2020 Wednesday
7.00 – 9.00pm
Online via Zoom
MHFA Adult (2 Days) The team will also be offering the 2-day Mental Health First Aid training course for volunteers in April so do drop me a line if you’d like to be listed for that opportunity. Only 16 places are available. Depending on guidance available we’ll be running this either face to face or online. Get in touch at headroom@jamiuk.org to register your interest.
Who are vulnerable people and why are they vulnerable? How can we communicate affectively whilst holding our own boundaries? Join us for this training session as we examine the language and ideas around vulnerability and explore further thinking and practical skills allowing us to be alongside others and grow our interpersonal skills.
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May 2021 Thursday
2.00 – 4.30pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: The course is free for current Jami volunteers or £25 per person, you will be asked where you volunteer when booking.
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Volunteer news First of many firsts: Jami’s first virtual drop-in for volunteers Following a pilot run of a virtual drop-in for volunteers, we are at the moment putting together plans for a regular monthly slot for a volunteer drop-in; volunteers will be invited to come along and meet other volunteers, have a chat, as well as discuss any worries or concerns.
This will have a loose agenda, which will be dependent on what you would like to be discussed, so please do reach out if you would like anything to be included. Here is some feedback from a volunteer who came along to the pilot:
Really good meeting last week nice to meet other volunteers. even volunteers feel unwell sometimes. And it’s nice to talk about that. I feel very honoured to be a volunteer for Jami they were so good to me when I came and I have learned such a lot. Jami is like a second family to me. If I can help in any way I will, Keep up the good work that you’re doing
First of many firsts: Launching Compeer and the first Compeer pair: Our story Jami’s brand-new befriending programme Compeer is now up and running, with 13 new pairs who have been matched up since the beginning of June. Whilst meets in the community have been on hold, our pairs have been enjoying getting to know each other over the phone. Here is some feedback from the first ever Compeer pair:
“Jami gave me a befriender And she made me as happy as can be Her name is Brianne not Brenda And we get on so well we could be family Thank you, Jami, for my befriender Some things in life are meant to be” “I volunteered for Jami at the Head Room Café in Golders Green last year, contributing to Creativity4All sessions. I loved meeting the interesting and amazing people visiting the Café. When Covid raised its ugly face and lockdown became a reality I offered to be a befriender. I talked to Emma and with her encouragement I was teamed up with Rose (not her real name). As we chatted weekly I learned that Rose is kind, intelligent and a gifted lady. I look forward to our conversations and hope that I make some difference in her life, as she has made in mine.”
Here is some more feedback from other Compeer volunteers:
“Jami is special and I truly enjoy being a befriender” “Thank you for your kind wishes. We are all well and I am very happy befriending a gentlemen who was referred by Emma. Most fulfilled trying to help Jami.” Kind regards David
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... and finally Share your stories with us The Helping Hand is our dedicated volunteer newsletter. If you have any stories you would like to share with other volunteers, please contact kelvin.zane@jamiuk.org.
Congratulations/Mazal Tov to Alan Freedman and his wife on their 40th wedding anniversary Sharon Deaner on the forthcoming wedding of her daughter in Israel Elise Horovitz on her marriage
Shana Tovah
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year from everyone at Jami
Bon voyage to Ela Kadosh who has returned to Israel
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