JEWISH CARE

Hungarian Speaking volunteer to facilitate conversation group for Holocaust Survivors

HSC (Holocaust Survivors Centre), Golders Green

Role Summary: Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivor Centre is looking for a Hungarian speaker to lead and facilitate an enjoyable social and friendly Hungarian speakers group for chats and conversation. The team are looking for a reliable volunteer to join some of HSC’s Hungarian speaking members for enjoyable and light-hearted conversation on a variety of subjects.  The group is relatively informal and incredibly enjoyable to be a part of.

Time Commitment: Weekly or Fortnightly for approximately 2 hours (the group runs for one hour, plus meeting and greeting and farewells.
The group currently meets on a Wednesday, but this could be changed to suit the right volunteer.  

How this role makes a difference: As well being an enjoyable and socially engaging part of the week, this group helps Holocaust survivors feel less isolated by connecting them with friends who share their language and culture. Through friendly conversations, it creates a sense of comfort, belonging, and community, whilst supporting their emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life.

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Lead and facilitate conversations in Hungarian, keeping them relaxed, friendly, and inclusive
• Welcome members at the start and help create a warm, comfortable atmosphere
• Encourage participation, making sure everyone feels included and able to contribute
• Keep discussions flowing, suggesting light topics (e.g., culture, memories, current events)
• Help with simple coordination, like starting/ending the session and informal check-ins

Skills, experience, and attributes required:

• Fluent Hungarian speaker
• Friendly and patient demeaner and empathetic attitude
• Ability to facilitate relaxed group conversations
• Confidence engaging with a diverse range of people
• A strong understanding and of issues that affect people in later life
• Reliability, consistency and dependability
• Ability to work as part of a team if required
• Good conversational and listening skills with a clear speaking voice
• The ability to work independently but also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns.

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 Mandatory 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
  
  

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.

If you have any questions at about this role or about volunteering with Jewish Care in general, please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.

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.