The Jewish Chronicle reported during Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) that many London-based charities had recently seen a large influx of volunteers in recent times, with some claiming their numbers had doubled within the last three years. Kisharon's Volunteer Coordinator Lara Domjan told JC reported Josh Jackman, "We have 80 to 90 [volunteers] throughout the year. About three years ago we had 40."
Much of Kisharon's success in this area, and indeed that of other small to medium-sized Jewish charities including Langdon, was attributed to JVN, which is active all year round promoting volunteering opportunities and roles, espcially the crucial ones that smaller charities find it hard to fill. Langdon's Dan Bacall, Head of Communications, asserted that "working with partners like JVN" was one of the most important contributors to bringing in new volunteers and raising the profile of the charity in general. Langdon had itself seen the number of volunteers it can rely on increase from 80 last year to 105 currently.
JVN's activites during Volunteers Week were also highlighted. Along with the launch of the new Companion to Volunteering, to promote good practice in volunteering and volunteer management, JVN staff and volunteers were out in force on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the community, raising the profile of volunteering and encouraging some 150 new volunteers to sign up.
However, the picture across the country is not quite as rosy, with volunteer shortages reported in Manchester, where the largest Jewish community outside London is based. The FED, the city's major Jewish welfare charity, said that it required double the number of volunteers it currently has (around 500, donating 40,000 hours of time per year) to fully combat 'the dreadful loniliness and isolation which affects so many people... without regular human contact.' Much of this is attributed to the ageing volunteering population, who are unable to get our and about and make such contact with lonely people in the community.
JVN worked hard to promote volunteering up and down the country, and it has a Regional Champion in Manchester, Melissa Chapman, who has seen the profile of Jewish charities in Manchester increase over the last two years. However, more still needs to be done. "We have many opportunities available," she said, "and we just need to do more to ensure that people are aware of the shortfall. We find that a lot of people who find out volunteering opportunities realise that they, or someone they know, are able to help."
If you live in Manchester are able to assist those charities in need of volunteers with even a little time, please click here to e-mail Melissa, or call 07968 774 309. Or register on our website to find your perfect volunteering opportunity.
