Some of the 60+ volunteers from all sections of the community who got together with FJS to celebrate National Volunteers' Week
FJS celebrates Volunteers' Week
08-Jun-2010Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which pays tribute to the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK and aims to inspire others to get involved too.
During Volunteers’ Week numerous organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors hold events to thank their volunteers.
The Federation of Jewish Services marked Volunteers Week and highlighted the contribution of its volunteers to the Manchester Jewish Community, with a Coffee and Croissant Morning held at its Fed office on Holland Road. Time For You Project (Volunteers) Manager, Juliette Pearce was delighted by the large turn-out of 60+ people.
“This was our best Volunteers' Week attendance ever. Despite the horrible rainy weather people were clearly keen to get together to celebrate their achievements. There were people of all ages from every part of the community. It was wonderful to see them brought together with one common cause. There was a real feel-good buzz in the air”.
With the merger of The Fed and Heathlands Village last December, The Federation of Jewish Services has over 500 volunteers including in the region of 130 Young Volunteers aged between 16 and 25. Volunteers are an intrinsic part of its work. FJS Marketing Officer Joyce Khan explained
“We simply could not function without our volunteers. They are involved in numerous aspects of service provision, but also help us out behind the scenes, in admin, with fundraising and in our shops.
However by far the greatest part of their work is in improving the lives of the many people who need our help, by providing direct support. Most importantly this includes: befriending and visiting or taking out people living in the community who need support; accompanying people to medical appointments and treatments and providing moral support; doing people’s shopping and errands, or taking them out and helping them do this.”
Great grand-mother Emily Jacobs has been volunteering for FJS for several years, initially just in their charity shop on Cheetham Hill Road, where she helps with steaming and preparing clothing stock for putting out. But in the last year she also took on the role of befriending a lady of similar age who is housebound. Emily modestly plays down her wonderful volunteering commitment .
“In truth I’m selfish. I also live alone and volunteering gives my week a structure and helps me get out.”
Emily doesn’t limit her volunteering to FJS as she also helps out at the Manchester Soup Kitchen preparing meal-on-wheels, every Sunday morning.
Philip Gordon finds that since becoming unemployed, volunteering has made a huge difference to his own life.
“On Wednesdays and Fridays when I wake up in the morning, I feel better knowing I’m going to be volunteering that day. I love bringing a smile to people’s faces. There’s one older guy who I take out who reminds me of how my Dad would’ve been if he was alive. We have a great banter together.”
Fellow volunteer Peter Goodman got into volunteering when he was recently made redundant, after some gentle nagging from big sister Iris Brownleader who felt he needed to be more productive with his time. Peter now has two clients with plans to take on a third. “Iris was right! There’s nothing worse than having nothing to do. I get a real kick out of helping people!”
Chief Executive Karen Phillips expressed thanks for the invaluable work of FJS’s volunteers. She was delighted by their enthusiastic response to the recent merger and confidence in FJS’s vision for the future of social care in Manchester.
All FJS volunteers are trained and CRB checked before being carefully placed in a situation in which they feel comfortable. They also receive ongoing support and are offered additional training.
In addition, The Federation of Jewish Services works in partnership with Chai Cancer Care, in recruiting and training specialist volunteers to support cancer patients and their families.
To find out more about receiving volunteer services call on 0161 772 4800 (North Manchester) or 0161 941 4442 (South Manchester).
To find out more about becoming a volunteer call our Volunteer Recruitment and Training Officer on on 0161 795 0024.