A pre-Chanukah party to celebrate the life of Elliott Simmons was held at Head Room, our social enterprise café in Golders Green, in honour of a substantial gift his charitable trust made to refurbish the café.
During his lifetime, Elliott Simmons expressed his desire to contribute to charities supporting people impacted by mental illness, having endured significant mental health difficulties throughout his life.
Among the 90 guests was Gordon Smith, one of the original trustees of The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust, and also Elliott’s Protector. Mr Smith said: “I knew Elliott for 30 years. Elliott requested that we set up a trust to ensure that those in need of mental health care would have the support they needed. He would have thought that Head Room was such an important entity, which it is. All his life he wanted to be recognised for something positive that he did.”
The party was also attended by Jonathan Prevezer, a current trustee of the Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust, together with people who benefit from Head Room’s free community programme, which provides daily groups and activities to everyone in the community looking for support with their mental health or just some company. Several of Jami’s befriending volunteers and their matches, who often meet at the café, were invited too.
Mr Prevezer said: “Throughout his life, Elliott loved Jami. Despite his challenges, he always had a very positive attitude towards life. Knowing him as I did, he would have been thrilled about today’s party and all that Jami does for the community.”
Adam Dawson, Chair of Jami’s Mental Health Committee and a Jewish Care trustee, welcomed guests and thanked the trustees of the Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust. He also cited Chanukah as a very important time in terms of miracles. He said that, for him, the real miracle of Chanukah was not in the oil lasting for eight days, but in the faith that the Maccabees had in lighting that first candle, not knowing it would last that long and not knowing what would happen. “They had the faith to bring back the light, to bring back hope,” he said. “And it seems to me that the work of Jami and Jewish Care’s staff, lay leaders and volunteers, and all those who use their services and have the opportunity to work together, is part of the real miracle of Chanukah.”
Following the speeches, guests enjoyed two musical performances, as well as delicious food served by the café, including Chanukah doughnuts.
The Elliott Simmons Charitable Trust has also supported Jami’s Hub in Finchley, which is known as the Elliott Simmons Centre for Wellbeing.
