Jami volunteers provide essential support throughout our community hubs and social enterprises; at the Head Room Café; through hospital visiting and befriending; providing financial or benefits advice; fundraising; through hospitality for Jewish festivals and beyond. In the past year we have benefitted from over 220 people getting involved throughout our organisation.
Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, our volunteer focus shifted as we have all adapted to social distancing, lockdown and self-isolation. Over 500 meals prepared by Head Room Café have been delivered to Jami service users, taking the opportunity to have a doorstep chat and ensure essential human contact is maintained with those most vulnerable. Telephone befriending and volunteer-led online group sessions have been instrumental in maintaining contact and support for people who would normally access our hub or café programmes.
Jami Ambassadors continue to play an important role in our organisation. For Mental Health Awareness Shabbat earlier this year, our Ambassadors spoke in their synagogues and communities, raising awareness of what we do and helping us in our goal of ‘transforming the landscape’ of mental health.
Alongside performing a crucial role for Jami, did you know that volunteering and helping others can also have a positive effect on your own mental health and wellbeing? Being active and focusing on other people helps our own self-esteem, it can create a sense of belonging and connects us with our community as well as creating feelings of happiness and satisfaction. At times like these, staying connected and retaining a positive outlook have never been more important.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!
