Catch up on what’s been happening at the Jewish Volunteering Network over the last year in the local area.
Here at Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN), we love all things volunteering. So, you can imagine that we are very excited by King Charles’s designation of May 8th for The Big Help Out as part of the coronation weekend. The initiative was created with the hope that the new era will be a time of giving, regardless of faith, race, or gender.
This is indeed wonderful and something that we have been encouraging and promoting since JVN was founded in 2007. Since then, as well as connecting, supporting, and placing volunteers into volunteering opportunities, we have also been supporting, advising, and helping charities to work with volunteers at the optimal level whatever the role.
In the last year, JVN Manchester, has run forums, both in-person and remotely. Last November, Nicky Goldman, CEO of JVN, and Rebecca Mickler, Volunteer Coordinator JVN Manchester, hosted the first in-person Volunteer Managers’ Networking Forum since 2019. The Manchester Jewish Museum offered their state-of-theart meeting space and we were delighted to see representatives of charities from across Manchester come together. Over the session we discussed current volunteering trends such as recruitment of Volunteer Managers, expense policies for volunteers, and how to be bold in a post lockdown world. Those who attended the session found it beneficial and we will be hosting another in- person forum again this year.
The annual ‘Celebration of Volunteering’ awards ceremony took place in January in Hertfordshire and was hosted by renowned community compere, Manchester-born and City fanatic, Nigel Rathborn. Almost 400 guests from the Jewish and wider community saw 90 charity award winners from 46 charities receive their
individually personalised trophies.
The evening showcased volunteers from four award categories: Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Young Adult Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winner of the Young Adult of the Year was Manchester-based Ben Brownson who volunteers with Maccabi GB. Ashley Lerner, CEO Maccabi GB said about Ben: “Ben is a truly deserving winner of the award. From the first time I met Ben, some 13 years ago, as a participant on our Leadership programme, Ben has always had Maccabi at the centre of his life and volunteering. Whilst golf is his passion, Ben always is the first to volunteer to support one of our projects, always on hand to assist his colleagues and the professional team and always doing it with a smile on his face.”
If you are thinking of volunteering and would like some help finding a suitable role, there are lots of ways JVN help you. Our Volunteer Team will take you through the basic steps to you get started, from finding a suitable role to your first day, and all you need to know about how to deal with issues that may crop up along the way. Keep an eye out on the website for the next event.
We also have a dedicated volunteer broker, Angie, who can chat with you about your interests and strengths in order to find you a role not only that you will love but will find incredibly worthwhile
and meaningful.
JVN works with registered charities across Greater Manchester connecting them with volunteers within the Jewish community and beyond. We promote these volunteering roles on our website Jvn.org.uk/manchesteropps and anyone can log on at any time to see what’s on offer. Please email Rebecca on manchester@jvn.org.uk to arrange an appointment.