Category: News

Jewish Care Scotland’s Senior Support Worker, Jean Guthrie, has been named a finalist at the Scottish Care Care at Home Awards 2025 in the Leadership Category.  Jean joined Jewish Care Scotland almost two years ago and has brought a wealth of experience in care as well as an abundance of passion and determination to provide quality care.  Every day Jean goes above and beyond and sets a great example for all her colleagues.

 

JCS Deputy Chief Executive, Robyn Friel said of the news, “Jean is a valued member of the team who really does go above and beyond every day for the people we support.  Jean leads by example and is a real inspiration to all the staff team and to the volunteers who support the work of Jewish Care Scotland in the Community too.  This recognition is so deserved and we are all so proud to have Jean on the team.”

 

The winner will be revealed at the Scottish Care Care at Home Awards in Glasgow in May.

 

 

Monday 7 April 2025

In September 2020, Jewish Care Scotland launched our five-year strategic plan setting out the long-term vision for the charity. The main strategic priorities identified five years ago were: “Connecting people”, “Promoting wellbeing”, and “Maximising resources”. Five years have almost passed, and our staff team and Board of Trustees are now working on our next Strategic Plan and considering the future direction of the organisation. To ensure we continue to meet the needs of the community we want to hear from you!  

Jewish Care Scotland’s Vice Chairman, Paul Winocour, adds: “This is a great opportunity for the Community to shape the future of JCS.  We want to hear from as many people as possible to let us know what we do well, what could we do better and what do they want to see us do more of in the coming years.”

The survey is available to access online: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/JCS2025/

Or in the news section of our website until 12pm on 30 April, paper copies are available on request. If necessary, JCS staff are available to support the Community to complete the survey.

If you have any further questions or require assistance, please call us on 0141 620 1800 or contact comms@jcarescot.org.uk

 

 

What’s On: Jewish Care Scotland’s upcoming events

Wednesday 2 April 2025

Jewish Care Scotland are pleased to announce a series of exciting events in the coming months designed to bring the community together and foster meaningful connections. These events promise fun, engaging, and informative experiences for people of all ages, celebrating the spirit of community, culture, and connection.

First up, Lennie’s next discussion panel, “Glasgow Jewry: a year in review” will take place as part of Welcome Wednesday on Wednesday 23 April from 1:30pm at the The Walton Community Care Centre, Giffnock.

Next JCS will be hosting our debut, “Bubbly Bingo” on Sunday 22 June. Join us for this fun and interactive event; the perfect way to kick off the summer, combining the thrill of bingo with a touch of glamour! Guests will enjoy a glass of bubbly on arrival, three games of bingo, afternoon tea and the chance to win some fantastic prizes, a sparkling occasion for friends and family to come together.  All profits raised will go directly to benefit the community through Jewish Care Scotland’s wide variety of services.

Finally, we’re partnering with McTear’s Auctioneers to host a Valuation event on Wednesday 25 June. We’re inviting the community to bring in their antiques, collectables, and personal treasures for a free valuation session by the professional auctioneers. For a donation of £10 you can bring along up to three items, or for £15 you can bring up to five items to be valued! From 12 noon until 3pm at The Walton Community Care Centre, May Terrace, Giffnock. All events are open to the community, and we encourage everyone to participate and make the most of these opportunities to connect and have fun! For more information about these events, please email comms@jcarescot.org.uk or call us on 0141 620 1800.

Thursday 20 March 2025

 

Jewish Care Scotland (JCS) is delighted to share that long-term Board member Paul Winocour is taking on the role of Vice Chair of the charity.  Paul joined the Board of Trustees in 2014 to offer property and business knowledge to assist in the governance of the charity and takes on the new position of Vice Chair from March 2025. 

Jewish Care Scotland Chairman, Dr Richard Groden, said of the appointment, “I’m pleased to have Paul step into the role of Vice Chair at Jewish Care Scotland.  I’ve worked alongside Paul for a number of years and see how committed he is to offering high quality care and services to the Jewish community.  This is an important time for Jewish Care Scotland as we develop our organisational strategy for the next few years, and I trust that Paul will play a key role in helping to shape the future of the charity.”

Paul, a Chartered Accountant, brings a wealth of experience to the role, with over 45 years of experience in the residential development and commercial investment property sector. He has been a Board member of the former Jewish Housing Association and has dedicated over a decade to The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland), currently in the role of Treasurer.

Of his latest appointment Paul added, “I am very proud to be chosen as Vice Chairman of Jewish Care Scotland, a vital service provider, which supports the many different needs of the Jewish Community and plays a major part in ‘looking after our own’.” 

 

JCS extend support to the local community this Pesach

3 February 2025

 

Jewish Care Scotland are delighted to be able to offer our Pesach Grant again this year. We want everyone to have the opportunity to celebrate and observe important times in the Jewish calendar. This grant is designed to help anyone struggling to meet the additional costs associated with Pesach.

Chief Executive Officer Linda Kemp: “We know that grants and support like this give many families the breathing space they need until they can find their feet again. JCS hope that by offering this support we can reduce barriers to observing this religiously significant time. We recognise that there are many demands placed on household finances currently and would encourage people to get in touch with our team to discuss what support is available.”

Applications close on Monday 7 April at 12noon. Any support offered will be dependent on individual circumstances and applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation. All queries and applications are confidential and treated with discretion.

To apply, please email us at hello@jcarescot.org.uk or give us a call on 0141 620 1800.

Starting her journey with Jewish Care Scotland almost 30 years ago, Avril Levy has become a highly respected member of JCS’s volunteer team.

With a background in advertising and marketing, Avril left her part-time job at the Citizen’s Theatre to support the opening of her husband’s restaurant. After taking some time away from her career, she decided to do something just for her; what she thought was a self-awareness course on Bath Street in Glasgow.

Every Tuesday for a year Avril, alongside Alice Tankel and Vivian Strang from Jewish Care Scotland, would go to class together. After a few lovely weeks of learning they realised the course was much more counselling based than they had originally anticipated, giving the ladies tools to support others emotionally, as well as themselves.

“What would I need this for?!” Avril wondered. And before she knew it, she found herself thoroughly enjoying it!

At the end of the course Alice asked: “Avril, I think you need to come work for Jewish Care Scotland, because you wouldn’t want to waste this!”

Having been introduced to Jewish Care Scotland by her long-time best friend, Maureen Solomons, Avril knew all about the charity. Freda Jackson, who Avril had known since she was a little child, took her very first interview. Avril only had to walk into the room before Freda announced:

“I do not have to interview you, you come from a caring family.” And the rest is history!

Avril joined at a pivotal time for JCS; when volunteers had just stopped being sent out in twos and were beginning to make solo visits. As a new volunteer, this was pretty nerve wracking! An experienced volunteer quickly took Avril under her wing and suggested she shadowed her visit, before visiting someone alone. The ladies then travelled to Edinburgh together to visit two sisters who lived together but struggled to communicate. Avril’s colleague took the lead, chatting to one of the sisters in the kitchen. It became clear that the second sister was more drawn to Avril which gave her a welcome confidence boost on her first proper visit!

“And that was my start!” Avril’s journey had officially begun.

The first year she spent with Jewish Care Scotland they threw a Chanukah celebration in the old Macabbi building, full of music, light and togetherness. She recalls one man singing an army song and saluting which, unexpectedly, struck a real emotional chord, causing her to burst into tears, thinking of her father. Avril uttered: “I don’t think I can do this!” Almost immediately being reassured by a fellow volunteer, “It’s fine, you can do this! We’re here with you.”

The support meant everything.

Working closely with the volunteer team allowed Avril the opportunity to nurture and grow friendships. Having already known both Lesley Roles and Maureen since they were teenagers, the three quickly formed a strong bond alongside Risha Freedman, Vivian Strang and Slyvia Cohen. Over the years their friendship took them far and wide – they went on a few holiday trips as friends, exploring Paris and Rome together topping up their tan!

At Chanukah the volunteers would transform into performers! It all began with Maureen and two members of JCS staff doing an Andrew’s Sisters routine in Carmichael Hall. The show was such a success that a large group of volunteers and staff got together to form a cabaret group – every year from as early as September you’d find the group rehearsing, making sure they knew their performances inside out! Avril, Maureen and Lesley had fun donning their matching outfits and miming to the Beverly Sisters song ‘Sisters’! These annual shows meant a lot to the community, capturing the magic of connection that came with being a part of Jewish Care Scotland.

Avril’s proudest moment as a volunteer is being made Chair of the Thistle Club. After being involved with Jewish Care Scotland for years, being given an official title made her feel incredibly valued within the organisation.

More recently, Avril helped to found 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 become a pocket of happiness for the community, having a positive impact on peoples’ lives’ every single week!

These are but a few of Avril’s many, incredible moments with Jewish Care Scotland over the years! Thank you for dedicating your time, infectious energy and empathy to JCS and our community. Thanks to you we can say with confidence: Jewish Care Scotland volunteers do more than care!

“Working with JCS has helped me understand people who are all different and not take things too personally, I’m very sensitive and empathetic, which means I care!”

 

January naturally brings with it a new start, the chance to reflect on past achievements and challenges and the opportunity to look ahead and plan for the future. With recent changes in the focus of the Jewish Blind Society due to evolving demands for support, the Society has decided to widen its scope of financial assistance that it can offer to the community in the year ahead.

The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) was originally established in 1962 to provide care, entertainment and outings for members of the Jewish community with visual impairment. Since 1998, the Society moved into the Walton Community Centre where we remain today, working more closely with Jewish Care Scotland and Chai Cancer Care to meet the needs of the community.

Due to advances in medical science, there has been a welcome reduction in the number of clients suffering from severe sight related conditions and a subsequent reduction in demand for these services.

Whilst the care of those with visual impairment continues to remain at the core of its ethos, the Society is also very keen to improve the quality of life to those within the community who suffer from a physical disability and are non-ambulant, or who have a chronic or terminal illness, or who have age-related needs through grant aided support.

We are offering targeted financial grants to improve the lives of people in the community, to those who might benefit from the purchase of items to make their day-to-day lives at home a little bit easier. Small changes or adaptations such as walking aids, lift and recline chairs, or even a stairlift can make a big difference to someone’s mobility, independence and can vastly improve their quality of life.

With the reliance on technology in our daily lives increasing, people with visual impairments, physical disabilities or those with age-related needs can be disadvantaged. But the Society believes there could be some benefits to using technology for everyday tasks and hobbies to maintain people’s standard of living.

The Society is reaching out to those who might benefit from grants to purchase technological items such as smart speakers that could be used to help set reminders or to play music easily, interactive doorbells that would allow vulnerable people to confidently check who is at their door before allowing them entry, or even audiobook subscriptions for those who are no longer able to pick up a book but who miss being able to while away the hours with their favourite authors.

This project will be supported by Jewish Care Scotland who, through their Digital Wellbeing Project, can offer assistance and support to set up these devices to ensure users benefit as much as possible.

We hope that by offering these grants and assistance, the Society can make a positive difference to the lives of people in the community, not only those with a

visual impairment, but we might inspire people to reach out, to get in touch to allow the Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) to support them to see life differently.

Jonathan Lewis

Chairman of The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland)

 

If you or someone you know could benefit from support from The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) please get in touch to have a confidential, informal discussion about how they can help.

W: https://jbsscotland.org.uk

T: 0141 620 3339

E: info@jbsscotland.org.uk

Monday 20 January 2025

 

Last Thursday Jewish Care Scotland hosted a Scottish whisky and gin tasting fundraiser, with support from Martin Aitken & Co.

Matthew from the Good Spirits Company led over 20 guests through a fun and interactive tasting experience sampling six drams of some of the finest Scottish gins and whiskies.

Guests were also treated to some Scottish themed canapés including haggis bon bons and smoked salmon as part of the early Burns Night theme, which was topped off by a warm welcome from local piper Ricky Zinger.

Robyn Friel, JCS’s Deputy Chief Executive said: “I had the pleasure of not only planning the event, but experiencing the evening as a guest! Bringing the community together to sample local Scottish spirits during the cold winter months was a fantastic opportunity to connect and interact with one another. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible!”

The fundraiser raised over £1500 with thanks  to many prize donors, sponsors and everyone who attended!

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.

Last month, Jewish Care Scotland hosted our AGM at the Walton Community Care Centre.  It was a great opportunity to share our latest Annual Review, highlighting the positive impact our services have had on the community in the past year.

Since the last AGM a lot has happened in the world.  The terrible events of October 7^th 2023 has led to a time of uncertainty for Jewish Communities across the globe and a rise in anti-Semitism. It has brought communities closer together and as I reflect on the past 12 months at JCS I am proud to say that we have continued to provide a safe environment for members of the community to meet and share time together.

This past year, we have continued to provide our registered services through both our weekly Wellbeing Hub and visits to clients in their home.  In a clear shift from pre-Covid, our visits to clients’ homes are now more in demand than our traditional, building-based services.  The JCS Wellbeing Hub, formerly Aviv Club, provides an opportunity for people to get out, meet with friends and enjoy activities in safe and familiar surroundings.  Our support visits allow people to retain their independence and affords them the chance to get out to places that interest them, or simply enjoy some company and social interaction at home.  All of our services focus on combatting social isolation and loneliness, keeping people connected with others as well as with Jewish culture.  

Welcome Wednesday continues to be well attended, thanks to all the volunteers who make it happen each week.  Visitors to the weekly café enjoy a regular activity program including music from Eddie Binnie, information stalls and a weekly knitting and crochet group.  In the past year, Lennie Wilson launched his much-acclaimed panel discussions bringing key voices from the community together to discuss topics that impact us all, including mental health and the future of the Jewish community in Scotland.

We have recently secured funding for our weekly MorphFit gentle movement program, kicking off the week with strength and balance class each Monday morning.  We are pleased to say that this class has now reached capacity and we are compiling a waiting list to evidence demand for additional sessions.  Feedback has been extremely positive with many telling us the class has not only given them confidence to get into exercise, but that it has reminded them of what Jewish Care Scotland is about.  We continue to look at maximising the use of our building to benefit the community.

Finance continues to be a significant challenge for Jewish Care Scotland however, and whilst we have healthy reserves we are faced with a potential funding cut from the local authority as well as increased running costs.  This will undoubtedly present challenges in balancing the books, and means we may need to review our funding model and indeed service delivery in the future.

Despite these challenges, we continue to focus on the positive impact our work has on the individuals and families we support.  We continue to move forward and support from the community is more important than ever.  We have been fortunate to receive generous legacy gifts over the past few years’ but this source of income is not guaranteed, or indeed predictable. Often legacy gifts are also restricted to specific projects or for specific purposes.  Our annual appeal is an extremely important source of income as are the grants we receive from the Jewish Blind Society, Glasgow Jewish Community Trust and other key funders in the community.

There is indeed something special about Jewish Care Scotland, and as we continue in our 166^th year I am sure we will continue to be there for as long as we are needed. During the course of the past year, we launched our 165^th anniversary video which for anyone who has not seen it I would commend it to you.  It speaks far greater than any words about what this organisation means to the community.

It is indeed a challenging time for many reasons, but I am confident to report that JCS continues to move forward and will adapt as required to ensure we are present for as long as our services are required.

Find out more about how Jewish Care Scotland could support you or a loved one by visiting our website at www.jcarescot.org.uk.  If you can, please consider supporting our work by making a donation, you can find out how online. 

Richard Groden

Jewish Care Scotland Chair