Norwood’s volunteers were honoured for their dedication and commitment to the Charity at a reception hosted by the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, at the House of Lords, overlooking the Thames. A group of 200 people who give up their time to perform a range of duties for Norwood, attended the special event in bright sunshine on Monday afternoon. They included a number of volunteers, including Muriel Kauffer, Pat Kipps, Joyce Senker and Sandra Young, who have each been volunteering for Norwood for over 20 years.
Volunteer Amanda Solomons said: “The afternoon was enjoyable and very special. The Chief Rabbi made such a moving speech. I felt very humbled and am so pleased that I volunteer for such an incredible organisation.”
Norwood has approximately 800 volunteers who are involved in almost all aspects of the Charity’s work, from working with children, in family support groups, at Norwood’s nursery and educational services, to working with adults with learning disabilities through befriending, employment mentoring and social activities and outings. Others volunteer in Norwood’s charity shops and provide pro-bono support at Head Office, while some become involved with various fundraising committees and boards or take part in Norwood’s sporting Challenges.
Welcoming guests, the Chief Rabbi said: “It’s a very humbling privilege to welcome you here and say thank you. Norwood is one of the greatest organisations in our community and it gives Elaine and myself real pride when we think of the incredible good work you carry out day in, day out throughout the year.
“This Big Society that people talk about and don’t really understand is something that is second nature for the Jewish Community. I can’t tell you how important it is for people who find it sometimes quite difficult to care for themselves that the community is there for them in individual, patient, smiling faces - people who give them their time and really make their world light up.”
Referring to Chesed, the Hebrew word for kindness, he added: “One act can change a life. To be able to say we did some kindness to someone in this life is the most beautiful and ultimately valuable thing any of us can say.”
According to a recent survey of Norwood’s volunteers, more than 85% are happy in their volunteering role, while 81% feel valued for their contribution to the Charity’s work. The survey, carried out between April and June, was completed by 256 volunteers - around 35% of the total - as part of Norwood’s plan to raise the profile of volunteering within the organisation.
Norwood has also appointed Sara Gerrard as the new YN Chair of Volunteering in a bid to encourage younger supporters to volunteer. Meanwhile, Norwood is working towards attaining the Investing in Volunteers quality mark. Inspired by Investors in People, Investing in Volunteers is the UK’s leading quality accreditation framework and will demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to the support and involvement of its volunteers.
Norwood’s Chairman, Bernie Myers, said: “This reception was organised as a celebration of Norwood’s volunteers and their dedication and commitment to the Charity, and I would like to thank the Chief Rabbi for hosting the event in such grand surroundings. Volunteers are a vital resource for Norwood and we depend on them to deliver our services and support the people who use them.
“Norwood welcomes and values our volunteers and appreciates the unique and special contribution they make in enabling the people we support to live the lives they want. Quite simply, without them, we would not be able to provide the quality of services and function in the way that the Community expects and needs.”
Norwood’s volunteering in numbers …
800 - the number of volunteers who currently support our work.
32,000 - the number of hours that volunteers gave us last year.
£360,000 - the approximate value of this time given.
100 - the number of people that have volunteered with us for five years or more.
25,000 - the number of miles that our volunteers drive each year for our service users.
20 - the number of social trips for disabled children that are organised by volunteers each year.
122 - the number of learning disabled adults that benefit from volunteer befrienders each week.
• Norwood is always in need of new volunteers. To find out more about how you can help, please visit www.norwood.org.uk/volunteering or contact us via:
T: 020 8809 8809
E: volunteering@norwood.org.uk
'Like' us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/norwooduk
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/norwooduk
Follow us on i-volunteer: www.i-volunteer.org.uk/norwood
