THE
Helping Hand
Spring 2021
Celebrating Jami's dedicated volunteers
Registered Charity 1003345. A Company Limited by Guarantee 2618170.
1
Welcome A warm welcome Welcome to our latest volunteering newsletter. As there are so many new volunteers, we would like to start with some introductions. Driving and meal deliveries:
Laurence Broch, Daniel Flitterman , Suzie Jaderberg Carers:
Rachael Katz Hubs online:
Sandra Alexander, Paola Bradley, Angela Wilson Vocational:
Kristina Fenster-Vincent Mental Health Awareness Shabbat admin:
Shira Abkin Compeer:
Ronald Bailin, Robin Field, Ella Goldberg, James Holz, Emily Host, Emily Josyfon, Holly Judge, Jessica Leigh, Jacob Levy, Rebecca Levy, Debra Peters, Wendy Rochester, Simona Shats, Michael Szaz A big welcome to you all and huge thanks for your support.
Meet Francine As well as new volunteers, we would also like to welcome and introduce Francine Haagman, Jami’s Compeer Coordinator, who joined us in November. Here Francine tells us a little about her life before Jami. I’ve had a warm welcome from Emma and Kelvin and everyone at Jami. It is my pleasure to work to match and support Compeer volunteers and their matches. Before Jami I worked for the charity Kisharon, where I coordinated all their lovely volunteers. Previous to this I managed a Mental Health and Substance Misuse Education and Employment Service, supporting people into education and work. I look forward to using my experience at Jami and learning new skills and gaining new experiences. I live in Hertfordshire and attend (when we can) a local synagogue. As a family, we really enjoy making a Friday night meal, always with chicken soup (as apparently there are no other soups in existence on a Friday!). Pre-Covid we enjoyed having friends and family round for meals, now we play a lot of Monopoly and Rummikub as a family. As part of my Covid survival plan, I have become increasingly interested in wildlife, walking and watching Youtube videos of cute animals! Here’s a random fact about me – after leaving school I studied Glass Design. This involved blowing glass and using a furnace with melting glass at 1600-degree Fahrenheit. I felt like my face was melting during this process. I wasn’t very good at Glass Design so I left the course to study Psychology, which I found fascinating. I do still try to use my artistic skills and really enjoy talking with people at Jami about art. In spring we hope to run an art session for Compeer matches (there will be no melting glass involved!!).
2
Volunteer news My story as a Compeer volunteer By Jilly
With the outbreak of Covid early last year and with time on my hands, I wanted to do something worthwhile to help during the pandemic. I was amazed to come across such a range of volunteering activity, especially through JVN. With so much choice, it was quite hard to find a preference until one day I came across the Compeer initiative with Jami that seemed right up my street.
After my thorough training, I was put in touch with my match, even though we had come out of lockdown, it was important to maintain social distancing, so we embarked on our befriending over the phone. I was delighted to discover that my match had been so well chosen! Here was a person who had worked in bookshops for many years and was always reading at least one, if not two or three titles at a time. As well as enjoying seemingly endless telephone conversations he also had an interest in foreign languages and classical music, amongst other things. There was more than enough for us to talk about. As the weeks went by, I got to know my match better and better. He told me about some of the beautiful places he had been to visit and about some of London’s greatest and unknown landmarks. He has learned many languages and told me some very funny stories about his studies at the City Lit Adult Education Centre and anecdotes from occasional holidays and trips abroad. Our telephone befriending started at the end of the summer when I’d recently become quite interested in horticulture. It turned out that my Compeer match had been a very keen trained gardener and worked in some of London’s large parks. When chatting one day, I asked him if he still did any gardening. He said he would love to do some but as he
lived in a flat he didn’t think it was possible. I looked up some local gardening groups and contacted one on his behalf who advised about several local activities. Perfect! By the time I came to speak to my match again, he had already organised some gardening via his GP. In the short six months that I’ve been volunteering with Compeer, I have discovered a true new friend and have thoroughly enjoyed our weekly conversations and learning so much from him. It would be wonderful to eventually meet my match in person. In the meantime, I look forward to my Friday morning chats and discovering more about the world. I would recommend being a Compeer volunteer to anyone!
My new hobby - inspired by Compeer By Danielle
I joined Jami as a Compeer volunteer back in December and matched with a lovely lady. On our first introduction call, I found out that she enjoys crocheting and suggested we could do it together during our weekly catch ups. “I’ll have you making jumpers and scarves before you know it” she said! I did laugh and told her I was a complete beginner and making a jumper might be a little ambitious, but I would certainly have a go. Within 24 hours my crochet hooks and wool arrived and I started to look at instruction videos on Youtube.
Danielle’s crochet
It took a little while for me to get the hang of it but after a few days, I managed to make a couple of hearts and a flower, not quite a scarf or jumper, but a start. I am not going to give up my day job, but I was excited to share my achievement with her when we next spoke. Little things you can find to do with your match is a great way to engage and share whilst over a cuppa or phone/zoom call. Colouring-in books or painting by numbers is also another great way to focus; it’s calming and definitely supports wellbeing and at the same time helps you to engage over conversation and build a trusting relationship.
3
Volunteer news How Compeer volunteering impacted me
Diversity at Jami
By Emily
Compeer volunteering has provided me with a fantastic opportunity to reach out, connect and support others during this difficult time. The training was brilliant, it taught me how to listen properly, without any judgement, giving my own opinion or chipping in, just listening unconditionally. It has been great building up a relationship with my befriendee, sharing creative writing, celebrating special occasions together as well as allowing a safe space for sharing difficult past experiences. Being a Compeer Volunteer has been so rewarding, life enhancing and enriching; knowing I’m making a difference and helping to improve someone’s mental health during challenging circumstances.
Our meal delivery volunteers continue to support us throughout the pandemic Here’s Ian Warner’s experience of being a delivery and door-step chat volunteer…
I started delivering food parcels to Jami’s service users when the pandemic started last March. It was clear to me that the people I met often felt isolated. Apart from the enjoyable food, they were also always pleased to have company, even if only for a few minutes. As I usually deliver to the same people, I have got to know some of them quite well and I believe this has helped them share some of the issues they may have. With the pandemic increasing the isolation of so many people generally, the food deliveries and doorstep chats are in my view an excellent way to support vulnerable people and to say to them, they are not alone. Mazeltov to Ian who has recently completed a course in Peer Mentoring at City Lit.
Jami has been thinking about diversity and in light of recent events, have put together an anti-racism group to spearhead initiatives and reflect on what we can do to be more inclusive. We want to ensure that we are welcoming to everybody including staff and volunteers, everybody feels valued and that their contribution makes a difference. Jami has a very diverse volunteer community. For our service users, meeting volunteers who have different backgrounds enables them to gain valuable experience in meeting new people. London is one of the most diverse cities on the planet and the Jewish community is part of that diversity. Jami is reaching out to different Jewish communities by contacting synagogues and Rabbonim, delivering training to schools and communities. We have a growing number of Charedi Jews who are interested in supporting Jami. We have joined Interlink, the umbrella Charedi support charity. Our contacts with volunteer services and schools in Barnet, Hackney and Redbridge have enabled us to welcome people from all over the world. Our volunteers originally from the US, Israel, Ghana, India, South Africa, France, Germany, Spain and Belgium have all brought their warmth and enthusiasm and everybody at Jami is the richer for it.
4
Festivals at Jami Purim
Celebrating spring festivals at Jami (during non Covid times!) Among the highlights of the Jami year are the celebration of festivals. A lot of effort goes into organising these events to help reconnect our service users to their Jewish heritage. As with all aspects of Jami, our volunteers play a major role in making the festivals come alive.
Jami service users and volunteers always enjoy a party! Many come in fancy dress following a suggested theme. Jon Bromberg, our Master of Ceremonies, leads karaoke and the megillah (scroll of the story of Purim) is read in English. Presents (mishloach manot) from the United Synagogue’s Chesed division are delivered by volunteers to Jami hubs in Edgware, Hackney and Redbridge and distributed to the service users. Gifts are also taken to patients in the Dennis Scott Mental Health unit.
Hospital visits and concerts
Pesach
Jami’s wonderful team of hospital visitors bring their warmth as well as festive foods to our service users throughout the year. They help make patients in the hospitals feel they are not forgotten and support them during their first stages of recovery. The taste of festive foods such as hamantaschen for Purim or Passover biscuits, link the patients with Jewish traditions and life. In addition, Brian Wiseman, Jami’s hospital visiting coordinator, arranges concerts to celebrate the festivals in a few mental health units. He talks to the patients about the festivals and a singer and guitarist leads everybody in Jewish and other songs. It is also a chance for anybody who has not come across Jami to meet us and for us to provide fun activities for all patients able to attend, no matter what their background. Sometimes these are part of wider interfaith events.
Rigorous industrial cleaning is always a feature of Jami pre-Pesach preparations and three sedarim (festive meals) are arranged. For the first seder night, Priscilla van der Velde creates an amazing meal at the Edgware hub. Everybody is encouraged to take part using a specially created Haggadah (service book). Volunteers Jon Bromberg and Henry Fried do a wonderful job of involving everybody. Another seder takes place during the Pesach week at the Finchley hub and is led by our volunteers Sharon and Jonathan Gilmore, plus their lovely children. Catering from Jacqui Alpern is always a highlight! Our final seder takes place in Redbridge and is always a favourite with service users there. The catering staff from Vye and Jon Ruben’s Jewish Care home next door always produce a fantastic meal.
Tu B’Shevat (New Year for Trees) Reverend Levin graces our Tu B’Shevat seder (celebratory meal) every year with his larger-than-life presence, fruit themed jokes and songs. He leads the seder and encourages everyone to join in. Different fruits are prepared and served by volunteers and staff during the meal.
Our thanks to everybody involved in making our festivals a unique enjoyable experience.
5
Events at Jami Jami volunteer celebration event on Zoom on 26th November 2020 Jami held the annual volunteer celebration over Zoom, in recognition of the outstanding contribution made by our valued volunteers. 69 people attended including volunteers and staff members. Adam Dawson, Jami Chair of Trustees, hosted the event and said that it was a privilege to be Chair of Jami and to spend time with our volunteers.
Louise Kermode, Head of Services, said how Jami had grown and adapted to meet the changing needs of the people we support and how services now look very different. The fitness service was encouraging people to be more active. Cafe, hub and education online had increased in terms of the number of programmes and the attendees. The meal delivery and doorstep conversations had been a success and were greatly appreciated by the service users. Chanukah boxes were being hand-delivered and Jewish religious and cultural aspects were being delivered in a different way. The befriending, carers and vocational services also showed significant increases. Louise said she was very impressed with the adaptability of volunteers who continued to provide incredible support to staff and service users and thanked everyone for helping.
Youtopia
On Thursday 21st January, Jami held their annual fundraising event online. Over 2,500 people from across the UK tuned in to watch the live event. They heard how the Covid crisis has had a critical impact on mental health in our community and beyond; how Jami’s services have adapted to continue delivering services; and what a post-Covid utopia might look like to each of us. Hosted by Rachel Riley, the event featured people sharing their first-hand experiences of living with mental illness and how Jami has supported them. By sharing their stories the hope is that they inspire others to reach out for help if they need it. As an organisation that is almost 100 percent voluntary funded, Jami relies on the generosity of the community to continue funding those vital services. The event can be viewed at myyoutopia.org
Laurie Rackind, Chief Executive at Jami, said: “I’m so incredibly proud of our organisation, but more importantly of our volunteers. I congratulate you all for stepping up throughout this pandemic. Thanks to you that sense of connection has not been lost.”
6
Events at Jami Mental Health Awareness Shabbat 2021 A record number of shuls, schools and other communal organisations joined Jami in marking the fifth Mental Health Awareness Shabbat (MHAS) with a wide range of interactive education sessions, virtual panel events and engaging speakers. The MHAS was launched in 2017 with the aim of raising the profile of mental health in the Jewish Community. This year’s theme was ‘The Impact of the Pandemic’.
Jami delivered an online programme of events, including an interview with Dr Ellie Cannon by broadcast journalist Samantha Simmonds, discussing how parents can support their children during these difficult times; as well as a Head Room Education session exploring the continuing impact of living through a pandemic and how to manage the uncertainties we are facing. Other’s chose to raise awareness and vital funds for Jami by taking on fundraising challenges. Laurie said, “I am so proud to be part of a community that raises awareness and promotes conversations around mental health. Challenging stigma and encouraging people to talk about mental health, without fear of discrimination, is a vital first step to making sure people get the help they need”.
Struggling to cope is more normal than you think. For so many of us, living through this pandemic has meant we have had to cope with physical health concerns, uncertainty and social distancing restrictions, which have led to increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and stress. For those already living with mental illness or caring for someone with mental health problems, these past months have been tougher than ever.
Uncertainty and isolation can cause any of us to experience feelings of distress or anxiety. Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone.
Over 200 organisations marked the occasion with events including United Synagogue’s MHAS dedicated Kabbalat Shabbat on US.TV; the Board of Deputies livestream “BoDCast” Panel Event featuring Jami’s CEO Laurie Rackind; and a panel event featuring Jonny Benjamin MBE at Chabad’s Jewish Life Centre.
If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, call 020 8458 2223 or visit jamiuk.org/get-support Registered charity no. 1003345
7
... and finally Pesach appeal Twice a year we send an appeal to all our donors. This year’s appeal letter features Miriam’s story. Some of you will know Miriam as a regular at the Edgware and online hub. We’re very privileged Miriam wants to share her story of how Jami has supported her before and during the Pandemic in order to help raise vital funds for our services. For more details visit jamiuk.org/pesach
Happy Pesach / Easter to all our volunteers and their families from everybody at Jami
Mental Health Awareness Week – 10th – 16th May 2021 Keep an eye out for our programme of events during Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. This year’s theme is nature.
Privacy Policy Update
If the shoe fits RUN FOR JAMI
We review our Privacy Policy on a regular basis to make sure it's still up-to-date with our data practices and ensure it meets the latest requirements provided by law. The effective date of our latest updated Privacy Policy is 30 June 2020 and you can review it on our website jamiuk.org/privacy These latest changes have been made to make it easier to understand the information we collect and use. They also clarify that if we ever need to send data to a third party for processing, they are bound to take care of your data in the same way we do. Please rest assured that Jami will never sell your details to any third party.You don’t need to do anything to accept these changes, they will automatically become active from end June 2020, but you can update your contact preferences at any time by calling us on 020 8458 2223, emailing us on info@jamiuk.org or writing to us at The Data Controller, Jami, Martin B Cohen Centre, Gould Way, Deansbrook Road, Edgware HA8 9GL.
3 October 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon
10 October 2021 Royal Parks Half Marathon
For more information, contact Muriel.stempel@jamiuk.org
8