Community

Bursary Fund can help you train to change careers

As we emerge blinking into the sun from the restrictions and uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have seized the moment and decided to make a change in their working lives.

At Work Avenue, the Jewish community’s leading employment and business support organisation, we are seeing an increasing number of people coming to us looking to change roles or careers.

Some are doing it because they want a job they feel is more meaningful to them, while others recognise that the choices they made years or even decades ago don’t match the person they are today.

There are also those who were forced to reassess due to the redundancies and job losses we saw during the pandemic. And, of course, there is a financial aspect and changes that can lead to increased earning potential.

However, taking this step is expensive. The costs of certified training courses can run into thousands and are unaffordable for many in the community, especially during a time of transition.

That’s why Work Avenue launched the Richard Mintz Bursary Fund (RMBF) in honour of their late trustee.

For those looking to train, or retrain, for a new occupational pathway, the RMBF will pay up to 80% of the course cost, subject to a few conditions.

As Work Avenue’s Interim CEO Emma May explains: “The pandemic has changed so many aspects of life for so many people, and not necessarily in a good way. That’s why it continues to be very gratifying to help our clients make such positive and meaningful changes to their working lives at such an important time.

“We have been amazed and delighted by the range of training courses that Work Avenue clients have registered for using the Richard Mintz Bursary Fund.

“Our training bursaries are supported by our professional, confidential and practical employment and business advice. This in turn enables more people in our community to earn a living with dignity to support themselves and their family.”

One person who has benefited from the RMBF is Adam, a Jewish labourer who knew that to improve his prospects he needed to learn a trade.

Adam said: “I was stuck in dead-end jobs with no chance to get my career off the ground. Nobody gave me the chance to formally learn the skills I needed to improve my prospects and I couldn’t afford to do it myself.

“Thanks to the Richard Mintz Bursary Fund I now have a real chance… and I am seizing it with both hands. The Fund is paying for my plastering and tiling course, which I am really enjoying.

“Thanks to the course I have loads of new practical skills – such as preparing to lay down new floor, tiling buildings and plastering walls inside and out – that make me more attractive to potential employers and clients. I can’t wait to use what I am learning at work.

“I already have a few new private jobs lined up with some local businesses. Eventually I hope to work on my own. “The Fund is so unique; there is nothing else like it anywhere and I did look around. It gives you hope and is opening up opportunities for me and my family that I couldn’t access before.

“Things look more optimistic for me than they have for a while. I am so grateful.”

For more information about the Richard Mintz Bursary Fund, and to apply, please visit www.theworkavenue.org.uk/rmbf/

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GIFT summer camp inspires and enables giving

GIFT Summer Camp

45 girls aged 8-11 participated this month in the fourth GIFT summer camp, which proved once again to be a fun yet meaningful experience.

The week was jam-packed with outings and sessions focused on chessed, acts of kindness & giving. Activities included making bath bombs for new mums, making chocolate treats and delivering them to Hendon Fire Station, completing a kindness challenge in a shopping centre, cleaning up local parks, packing fruit & vegetable bags in the GIFT Hub and creating healthy recipe boxes for families in need. Led by an experienced team of madrichot, the GIFT Summer Camp was a summer the girls will not forget in a hurry.

Hayley Phillips whose daughter Michalle participated in the camp said; “I loved the fact that the girls were having fun but also doing something productive and helping the community through acts of kindness.”

GIFT’s mission is to inspire & enable lifelong giving. To get in touch, contact GIFT at info@jgift. org or phone 0208 457 4429.

BA beats the Israel deadline! Pinner summer social

was a sizzling success!

Bnei Akiva members at the airport leaving for Israel

Last week Bnei Akiva UK succeeded in getting their Hachshara Gap Year programmes to Israel in the nick of time before Britain was added to Israel’s travel Red-List. 36 young students from Manchester and London had been preparing to join their Bnei Akiva Gap Year programmes in mid-August before the announcement last Thursday that travel would be restricted. Some hastily reorganised flights thanks to West End Travel, and a frenzied weekend of work led to a new departure date, a new programme for quarantine, multiple forms filled out, some expedited entry permits and lots of happy students getting onto the plane to Israel! Rebecca Taub, mother of Yona who is heading on the Bnei Akiva Kivun Programme said “Bnei Akiva acted so quickly and decisively, thank you so much for getting the kids to Israel”.

Andrea and Neil have two daughters spending a year with Bnei Akiva, and praised the youth group for “getting the group safely to Israel amidst huge unexpected challenges. Your support, great communication and clear instructions meant we were confident just to follow your instructions and all would be ok. And it was! Joel Ohrenstein (Israel Worker 5781) speaking on behalf of Bnei Akiva said “we want to say a big thank you to all our partners at World Bnei Akiva for helping make this possible, and we look forward to another cohort of Bnei Akiva leaders having a successful and transformative year in Israel!”

For more information about Bnei Akiva’s gap year programmes, you can visit www. bauk.org/hachshara

Rabbi and Rebbetzen Kurzer (right) and guests

Pinner Shul’s New Generation committee and its Community Directors, Sara and Yonatan Levin, held a Summer Social on Sunday 1st August. New Generation’s traditional focus is on children aged 0-11, this time it was the adults’ turn! It was a real celebration marking the end of lockdown - an evening of reconnecting with Pinner friends, enjoying drinks and a tasty BBQ.

The shul was decorated in a tropical summer theme and the atmosphere was buzzing as around 45 people in the 30ish to 50ish age group chatted late into the evening, catching up with familiar faces and getting to know new ones. It was a warm, friendly and wonderfully relaxed evening, all carefully planned with covid compliant precautions.

Charlie Harris’ Bar Mitzvah Challenge raised £2,566 for Chai

Charlie Harris

Charlie Harris, took part in the Bnei Mitzvah Challenge to climb two mountains in the Lake District in aid of Chai. He has so far raised £2,566!

Charlie said, “I took part in the Bnei Mitzvah Challenge to climb two mountains in the Lake District including one of highest peaks in the UK - Helvellyn. It was tough...and very hot, but I was really proud of myself and the whole group that we managed to do it!

I participated in the challenge with my Dad as part of my Barmitzvah learning and raised money for Chai Cancer as it is a special charity for my family. They helped my auntie and her family when she had cancer. They were a great support.

I would encourage any other boys or girls of bar / bat mitzvah age to take part in this challenge and raise money for a charity that means a lot to them.”

End of term fun for these Manchester King David Primary School year 5 children getting soaking wet and having fun during a water fight.

King David Primary School end of term fun

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

Mazal Tov to Chaya and Uriel

PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER.

Family and friends celebrated the marriage of Chaya Ibgui and Uriel Behar at the Cotswolds Hotel, Chipping Norton on Tuesday. Guests came from around the UK, America, Israel and France.

Instructor Mr John Cheng giving Tai Chi exercises to some elderly members of the Nicky Alliance centre members. Tai Chi is a regular and popular activity.

Tai Chi Yoga at the Nicky by John Cheng Tai Chi instructor

PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL.

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