The Citron Family Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering: Robin Woolf, The United Synagogues

Robin’s volunteering spans over five decades and benefits his synagogue, Jewish hospital patients and people of other faiths. His difference voluntary roles, both past and present, are too many to mention here, but they include volunteering as the Jewish chaplain at University College London Hospital, warden and financial representative of Pinner Synagogue, and Co-Founder of the Pinner.

The Daniel Levy Grove Award for the Rising Star in Volunteering: Chaya Hoff, Gift

Chaya has been an outstanding volunteer for Gift for over a year and a half. She recently founded the GIFT Hospital Service after her own experiences with a mother who was overwhelmed after been at her daughter’s bedside for several days. Chaya’s service involves volunteers endeavouring to help anyone from the community who is in hospital and in need of support. From hospital shifts for elderly patients who do not want to be alone, to overnight shifts providing respite to parents who need to catch up on sleep, Chaya and her volunteers have had a momentous impact on the lives of patients and their families. Chaya currently has a full-time job in addition to running the Kef ladies group and volunteering for Noa girls.

The Apelt and Lazarus Charitable Trust Volunteer of the Year Award: Rivka Bick, Chana

When Rivka and her husband shared their own personal story, this single, courageous and powerful act had a lasting impact on the Jewish community and has grown Chana’s success. At Chana’s annual brunch, Rivka spoke in front of 600 local Jewish women, giving details of traumatic events in her life to demonstrate the impact of Chana’s services. As a result, more people have been empowered to seek Chana’s services and volunteer. Furthermore, Rivka volunteers for Chana as a buddy, speaking to women who are going through very difficult situations. She listens, sharing her personal struggle and coping mechanisms, all to help and empower women.