JEWISH CARE

Havdalah Service Volunteers

Role Summary: To run and assist in the running of Havdalah services at various locations within the Jewish Care Betty Asher Loftus Campus in Friern Barnet. Depending on the time of year, these services will take place on either Saturday afternoon/evenings, or Sundays.

Time Commitment:   Saturday/Sunday afternoon/evening depending on the time of year. You will be on a rota, so you can choose a weekend that suits you, or volunteer for every week.

How this role makes a difference:

The aim of the project is to encourage tenants to be as independent as possible but with support to fulfil their religious and cultural needs and to enhance their wellbeing in a positive and informal way and attend  on site Havdalah service. As well as providing a wonderful spiritual experience, residents will also get great benefit from the sensory experience of Havdalah services.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Volunteers will need to plan and ensure all items are in place for the service.
• They should be able to lead and or follow the Jewish Care Siddur (prayer book).
• Lead the service and assist the residents and tenants.
• Volunteers may be required to support tenants from their flats to the activity room, which may involve pushing wheelchairs etc. Training will be provided.

Skills & experience you required:

• * An interest in working with older people within a Jewish environment and at extra care resource
• * An understanding of Shabbat and the process of the Havdalah service and rituals
• * A knowledge of Hebrew would be an advantage but not essential
• * Great listening skills, empathetic and non-judgmental with a friendly and warm personality
• * At ease and able to engage with people with sometimes, complex, medical needs including dementia
• * A commitment to volunteering weekly/fortnightly for about an hour and a half.
• * The completion of a volunteer induction training and wheelchair handling session. All volunteers will need to complete the induction training before starting. The wheelchair handling training will only be necessary if you are able to and if needed for the role.
• * Completion of a DBS (police check)
• * Willingness to attend support sessions with other volunteers

Induction, Learning & Development:
Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks. 

Jewish Care will provide the following training, essential for this role:

• Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures.
• Provide Induction Training:  Getting to know Jewish Care, Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR.
• Provide on the job induction.

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care:

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function.  We absolutely depend on you.  Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care.

As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.

• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
• Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV
  
  

Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that Jewish Care serve.

Why get involved with Jewish Care?
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital.  We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do being underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics.  We provide services to:

• Older people
• People with Mental Health needs
• Holocaust Survivors
• People who are living with Dementia
• People with physical and sensory disabilities
• People who care for others

We can only do this thanks to our amazing professional staff of 1,400 and the 3,000 dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible.

Next Steps to becoming a volunteer at Jewish Care:

Step 1:
Please complete an expression of interest form for this role, which will automatically create a profile on our volunteer management system.  After you have applied, we will be in touch to discuss this role in more detail.

If you would prefer to speak with someone from the Volunteers Team to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us:  020 8922 2405.

Step 2:
Following a successful conversation, with a member of the Volunteers Team or Hiring Manager you will be invited for an interview (and asked to bring identification with you).

Step 3:
Following a successful interview, you will be offered the volunteering role and asked to add further information into your volunteer profile, providing two references and completing a DBS (previously CRB) application form online.  Additional paperwork may need to be completed for some roles e.g. volunteer driver.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work or our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff.  This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.

Step 4: 
You will be invited to attend mandatory Volunteer Induction Training. Training is to enable volunteers to carry out roles to the highest professional standards, develop skills, build confidence and meet other new volunteers

Step 5:  Mazel-tov/Congratulations!
Once we have received and recorded a suitable DBS, satisfactory references and training has been completed, you are officially part of the Jewish Care Volunteer network!

If you have any questions at all about volunteering with Jewish Care,  please contact volunteers@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.