This year, Norwood’s Rosh Hashanah appeal aims to raise £100,000 through a combined postal, advertising and email campaign. The money will help make a real difference to the thousands of children, families and adults coping with learning disabilities or social disadvantage who rely on the Charity’s support each year.
Norma Brier, Norwood’s Chief Executive, said: “Despite the difficult financial climate, Rosh Hashanah remains a vital time of year to give to charity. Donors will be reassured to know that Norwood is committed to remaining financially prudent, with 91p in every £1 donated to Norwood being spent on providing urgently needed services. These services make a real difference to the lives of young people facing social disadvantage, and the practical and emotional support which Norwood provides is often a lifeline.”
The theme of the appeal, ‘meriting a sweeter life by giving to charity this Rosh Hashanah’, raises awareness of neglected children in the Jewish Community.
Simon, 18, had a tough family life and was told that he was unwanted from an early age. Bullied at school, his self-esteem plummeted and he became depressed. With financial pressures on the family and full-scale rows at home, Simon reached breaking point and after a particularly bad row, left home at 16. With nowhere else to turn, he went to the police who referred him to Norwood’s Family Support Service when he told them he was Jewish.
A Norwood Social Worker met Simon immediately and gave him an emergency food and clothing grant, as his parents wanted nothing more to do with him. The Social Worker found him accommodation and gave him support to return to school, get a part-time job and slowly build his confidence. Educational psychologists at Binoh, one of Norwood’s special education services, helped him get extra time to successfully complete his A-levels. He will live in Jewish student accommodation when he starts university this autumn, and now has a hopeful future ahead of him.
Simon said: “Norwood rescued me from a very bleak situation for which I can’t thank them enough. I don’t know what would have happened to me without them, but now I can look forward to a much brighter future.”
Norwood is one of the UK’s leading charities supporting children, families and adults, coping with learning disabilities and social disadvantage. Every year we provide thousands of people in the Jewish community and beyond with vital, specialised support to meet their individual needs. This gives them the opportunity to reach their potential and live life to the full.
Over 200 years old, Norwood provides a wide range of specialist services delivered by 1200 staff and supported by 700 dedicated volunteers. These services are divided into Children and Family Services and Adult Services.
Children and Family Services
• Nursery
• Special education including Binoh and Hope
• After-school clubs and holidays
• Social work
• Respite care
• Support groups
• Health and wellbeing
• Domestic and inter-country adoption
Adult Services
• Registered care, supported housing and supported living
• Supported employment - providing training and access to work
• Lifestyle and leisure opportunities
To continue to provide, improve and expand these services, Norwood must raise a total of £9m annually from voluntary donations as many services receive no government funding.
To make a donation to Norwood, visit www.norwood.org.uk/donateonline or call 020 8420 6870.
