Last week, the Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) team got creative when they volunteered to give a makeover to the playhouse at Buckets & Spade Lodge, Norwood’s respite care centre for young people with disabilities in Finchley. The LFI employees took time out from their work to promote bilateral relations between Britain and Israel to volunteer for Norwood for the day.
The seven volunteers included Luciana Berger, who has been Director of the Westminster-based organisation since 2007. She is also the Co-Chair for the YN Today Committee, which has organised a fundraising breakfast featuring The Rt Hon the Lord David Trimble on 21 October. Luciana’s first volunteering experience with Norwood was at Unity Norwood’s recreational service for young people with disabilities, at the age of 16. Ever since then Luciana has remained closely connected with the Charity.
Luciana said: “It shouldn’t just be corporate organisations that afford their employees the opportunity to do some work-based volunteering. It is possible for smaller not-for-profit organisations to take time out of the office and do something to contribute to their local communities, even if it is only for one day.
“When I contacted Norwood’s Volunteer Department they asked us to give the playhouse at Buckets & Spades a new look, so we raised money to pay for the paints and brushes. We’ve all really enjoyed visiting the respite care centre and it’s been a fun way to contribute to the work Norwood is doing to support children and families coping with disability.”
At Buckets & Spades, young people can enjoy spending time with other young people their own age, taking part in fun activities and going on outings. Parents feel safe in the knowledge that their children receive expert care, as they recharge their batteries and spend time with each other and siblings, doing things that they would otherwise not get the chance to do as a family.
For more information about volunteering opportunities at Norwood, contact Volunteering Services on T: 020 8420 6926 or E: volunteers@norwood.org.uk
For more information and to buy tickets for YN Today’s Breakfast with Trimble on 21 October, visit www.norwood.org.uk/yn or T: 020 8420 6804 or E: alisaf@norwood.org.uk
