Volunteer spotlight: Lesley Roles

Today we’re going to be spotlighting one of our long-term volunteers, Lesley Roles. From her first interaction with Jewish Care Scotland, which blossomed from her close relationship with the late Freda Jackson and her daughter, to her six year long position on the board to her voluntary position in 2024 – Lesley is a huge part of our organization and our community.

“At the time I first got involved it (Jewish Care Scotland) was still called the Welfare Board. There were about 14 volunteers and a small staff team that I can remember.”

Lesley’s journey began when she heard Freda chatting about Pesach parcels that the Welfare Board sent out to people. Volunteers would go to Coplaw Street, the old organisational headquarters, to put together boxes to distribute to people in the community who needed support. Interested, one day Lesley offered to help… and never looked back!

Freda told her: “You know I think you might be suitable volunteer candidate; how would you like to come down for an interview?” Lesley said it had never crossed her mind. “Let me think about it.”

She only needed to think about it for 30 seconds before saying yes!

One of Lesley’s first days was an outing to visit Belair Park with the community. It was very friendly and casual, the perfect opportunity for her to get to know the team, volunteers, service users and the wider community. Everyone made her feel right at home; she recalls the more musical members of the group encouraging her to sing along with their live music!

“It felt like a true family, the very first feeling. It was very welcoming. There was a seamless ‘togetherness’ of staff, service user and volunteers. It was really nice.”

In 2011 our Lesley, alongside a group of 40 volunteers, travelled to Europe to complete Jewish Heritage walks. Their journey began in Riga, Latvia with a cheer and a wave on the country’s official independence day! Travelling across the country on their pilgrimage, Lesley and the group next arrived in Lithuania. Here she had the opportunity to do something quite special: explore personal family heritage and generational connections! The walking group was filled with familiar Jewish Care Scotland faces, such as Avril Levy and Maureen Solomons, yet were joined by members of the community living abroad. For five days the group travelled 18 – 20 miles per day!

Their fabulous efforts raised an impressive £3000 while simultaneously connecting people and learning about those who bravely came before us. As well as raising funds, this trip was a momentous success which nurtured international connections and allowed Lesley, alongside the rest of our group, to reconnect with their heritage and history.

Through Lesley’s journey with Jewish Care Scotland she’s built many lifelong connections. Before volunteering she vaguely knew Maureen, this quickly changed! They quickly bonded, developed a close friendship and to this day continue to support each other both at JCS and beyond.

Attending the Royal Garden Party, having the opportunity to be in the presence of Queen Elizabeth, in Edinburgh was certainly one of Lesley’s highlights of her JCS journey.

“It was amazing, quite special. I went with Richard the first time and then with Angela Hecht alongside another volunteer, Freda Kostick. It was a beautiful day; we had superb afternoon tea. The Queen came round with the entourage and the family!”

Notably, Lesley was one of the founding members of Welcome Wednesday, JCS’s weekly drop-in café. Established in 2021 as Jewish Care Scotland adapted their services to fit the ever-changing needs of the community; Welcome Wednesday has allowed Lesley, alongside our full volunteer team, to have a positive impact on peoples’ lives’ every single week!

This is just a small snippet of the work, highlights and achievements of Lesley’s volunteer story. Lesley Roles’ Jewish Care Scotland journey is decades long and still going strong! Thank you for continuing to support JCS and our community.