JEWISH CARE

Volunteer for Jewish Care

The leading health and social care charity for the Jewish community in London and the South-East

Role Summary: Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation in the United Kingdom, providing a range of care and support services to the Jewish community in London and the South-East touching the lives of 12,000 people every week. We offer help, advice and support in every way we can, through a wide range of residential, day care, outreach, and support services.

Our services include care homes, Retirement Living, leading dementia care services and facilities, community centres, as well as social work, support groups, Meals on Wheels services, an advice and information line, plus much more.

We provide specialist services for older people, people with mental health needs, individuals with physical and sensory disabilities, Holocaust survivors, people who are living with dementia and for those who are caring for others. Our community centres bring together all ages, offering a wide programme of events and activities during the days, evenings and weekends.

Everything we do at Jewish Care is guided by our principles of warmth, kindness, honesty and respect and we are committed to ensuring that people live life to the full.

How you can help us by volunteering your time: There are many ways in which you can make a real difference by volunteering for Jewish Care. With so many opportunities available and something for everyone, no matter how much or how little time you have available, we would be delighted to talk through some possible options with you. We have volunteering opportunities available in London (Brent, Harrow, Barnet, and surrounding areas), Southend, Essex, as well as remote roles. Some examples of our volunteer roles are below:

How volunteering for us makes a difference:

Without our incredible team of volunteers, we simply couldn’t function. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organisation and bring so much joy and support to those we care for and their families and carers. By volunteering with us you are actively supporting our wonderful staff teams and enabling us to further support those that we do. Each week, we touch the lives of 12,000 people which, without our team of dedicated and wonderful volunteers, would simply not be possible. Please considerer volunteering for Jewish Care and help us make even more of a difference.

Skills & experience required:

Skills and experience required vary from role to role. The overarching skills that many of our volunteers have in common include:

• Friendly and patient, with a non-judgmental attitude
• An understanding of issues that affect people in later life or those with mental health needs
• To enjoy helping others. 
• Reliability, consistency and dependability

Induction, Learning & Development:
Training is provided so that 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 click on the button to apply, complete an expression of interest form, which will automatically create a profile on our volunteer management system.  After you have applied, we will be in touch to  have an informal no obligation chat about your volunteering.
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.
Step 4: You will be invited to attend mandatory Volunteer Induction Training, as well as any specialist training relevant to your volunteer role. 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!

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.

If you have any questions at all about volunteering with Jewish Care or would like to discuss this, or look into other roles,  please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.