Jewish Care Scotland are offering one-off Chanukah grants to individuals and households with limited income who are struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time of year.

Deputy Chief Executive, Robyn Friel, said of the grant, “We know that people are continuing to struggle with the increasing cost-of-living and we want to make sure that everyone is able to celebrate Chanukah this year.  During such difficult times it’s important for everyone to celebrate the light and take part in Chanukah festivities.”

This is a one-off grant for households with limited income.  Members of the community are invited to get in touch for more information or to apply for a grant by calling Jewish Care Scotland on 0141 620 1800 or emailing hello@jcarescot.org.uk.  All enquiries and applications are handled with discretion and treated with the strictest of confidence.

Calderwood Lodge Chanukah Cards

13 November 2023

Each year the pupils of Calderwood Lodge are invited to design Chanukah Cards.

Last month JCS’s Wellbeing Hub group deliberated hard over selecting winners for their annual Chanukah card competition with Calderwood Lodge Primary school. The Wellbeing Hub spent an afternoon pouring over the cards and were proud and delighted to select the winning designs. The JCS team attended assembly at Calderwood Lodge Primary to celebrate all the entries and the winning designs. Congratulations to the individual winners from primary two through seven and the collective class of primary one winners.

This year boasted a host of beautiful designs. Much the same as previous years, the decision-making process was very difficult as so many pupils deserved commendation and thanks. The pupils families were able to order the winning designs on a variety of items to celebrate Chanukah, with proceeds going towards Jewish Care Scotland services and fundraising for school activities.

JCS Registered Manager Vicki McPhee adds: “Each year it’s so rewarding getting involved in such a creative, collaborative project. When Autumn rolls around the JCS team really look forward to the project with Calderwood Primary. We are so proud of all the artistic pupils who put in so much effort to make their cards shine this Chanukah and look forward to sharing them with the community.”

National Institute, RNID will be back visiting Jewish Care Scotland on Wednesday 6 December offering support, advice and information around hearing loss or tinnitus.

This session will take place between 12 – 2pm during JCS’s drop-in café, Welcome Wednesday. All are welcome.

JCS’s Registered Manager, Vicki McPhee adds: “The last time RNID visited our Welcome Wednesday community, they were really well received. 1 in 5 adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus and most of our community are elderly so it was really valuable for the RNID guys to come in.”

The RNID can help with a free hearing check, hearing aid servicing, maintenance, and repair (replacement batteries, cleaning and re-tubing) while providing information and support for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

After receiving such positive feedback from their last visit to JCS’s Wellbeing Hub, the RNID are aiming to return once every three months to continue to keep the community up to date and informed. To keep up to date on RNID’s visits to JCS, please visit the ‘Events’ section of our website which is regularly updated.

Therapy ponies pay a visit to Jewish Care Scotland and neigh-bours

Therapy Ponies Scotland paid Jewish Care Scotland’s Wellbeing Hub a visit last Thursday sparking joy and smiles among the community.

Flicker and Wilson, two miniature Shetland ponies came along from Therapy Ponies Scotland, to meet the people attending the JCS Wellbeing Hub.  

Flicker and Wilson also met some people supported by neighbouring charity Cosgrove Care, as well as a group of children from Calderwood Lodge Primary School, participating in an intergenerational project with Jewish Care Scotland.   

Flicker and Wilson visited the centre for over an hour and really brightened up the day of the pupils, guests and staff! JCS’s Registered Manager, Vicki says: “These visits really brighten people’s day, you can see the happiness and positivity they leave behind long after the day is over.”

After 10 years of looking after animals, John and Elaine officially started Therapy Ponies Scotland in 2015 with the aim to brighten people’s day while also reducing stress. The ponies stand at about 2ft tall, complete with tiny pairs of Converse to ensure they don’t slip indoors.

Therapy Ponies Scotland dedicate their time to brightening up others’ days thanks to their adorable/ gentle/ special therapy animals. In the past, Jewish Care Scotland has hosted petting zoo style events where the community has had the opportunity to spend time with rabbits, chickens, ducks and goats. These events have always brought a lot of happiness and laughs to the Walton Community Centre, and this time was no different!

Once again, we are delighted to have published a review of our activities, finance and community for 2022/ 2023. Our annual review includes information on how we’re funded.

DIGITAL-JCS-Annual-Review-2022.pdf (jcarescot.org.uk)

Lennie Wilson Hosts Discussion Panel from The Heart of the Community

Lennie Wilson, a long-time member of Jewish Care Scotland, will be hosting his third discussion panel for the people of JCS in the Walton Centre on Wednesday the 23^rd of August.

The discussion will be joined by Deborah Haase, Timothy Lovatt, Michael Goodman and Myrna Bernard. Their conversation will cover a range of topics impacting the community, with an opportunity for questions and meaningful dialog.

The from the heart of the community panel is a fantastic form of connection, incorporated into Jewish Care Scotland’s weekly drop-in Welcome Wednesday café session, established in Spring 2023 and continuing on an ad hoc basis. Lennie has people join him to lead the discussion while everyone is invited to join in the chatter.

Nicole Telfer, Support Worker at Jewish Care Scotland shares: “Seeing how the panel has grown and developed so organically over the past few months has been really nice to see.”

“Lennie and the rest of the group look forward to the discussion panels. People will come along for a bit of lunch about 12pm, then they’ll start discussions for 1.30pm.”

JCS is proud to continue hosting member led discussion groups designed to connect the community while promoting wellbeing and maximising the voice of Glasgow’s Jewish community.

Requests for support can be made directly by calling 0141 620 1800 or emailing: comms@jcarescot.org.uk. All enquiries are treated with discretion and respect.

Notes to editor:

1. Jewish Care Scotland (JCS) exists to provide a helping hand to the community in order to promote independence, keep people connected and support those in crisis. JCS provides services both in person and over the phone and work in ways that ensure that no one is left vulnerable or isolated.
2. JCS is the only social care charity dedicated to the needs of the Jewish community in Scotland, working in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council and in liaison with Local Authorities and agencies throughout Scotland.
3. Jewish Care Scotland, Scottish Registered Charity No. SC005267
4. Jewish Care Scotland, The Walton Community Care Centre, May Terrace, Giffnock, G46 6LD
5. The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland), Scottish Registered Charity No. SC011789
6. Further media enquiries contact Robyn Friel, Interim Deputy CEO/ Head of Income Generation of Jewish Care Scotland, 0141 620 1800 or email callyg@jcarescot.org.uk

Local MSP Paul O’Kane connects with JCS community at Welcome Wednesday

Wednesday 9 August 2023

Jewish Care Scotland has opened their doors to warmly invite Paul O’Kane, West Scotland MSP, to their Welcome Wednesday drop-in cafe group

Paul O’Kane met with the community to express his support for JCS and the growth of their community: “I had the warmest welcome today and I was delighted to have come away with a great impression of what the service Jewish Care Scotland provides for the community”

Each Wednesday, in the comfort of the Walton centre, JCS host a social gathering from 12-3pm. People from the community are encouraged to come along, socialise and enjoy a Kosher bite to eat.

“I got to speak with so many regular attendees of Welcoming Wednesdays who of course had me laughing at their great stories”

“I’ll look forward to visiting Jewish Care again soon and I’ll certainly be raising my voice at every opportunity to raise awareness of their services in the future.”

Established to encourage maximising resources, the weekly drop-in session has grown into a thriving community of, primarily, Jewish people looking to connect with one another. Welcome Wednesday promotes independence while nurturing social contact through social supports and regular, weekly catch ups.

Requests for support can be made directly by calling 0141 620 1800 or emailing: comms@jcarescot.org.uk. All enquiries are treated with discretion and respect.

Notes to editor:

1. Jewish Care Scotland (JCS) exists to provide a helping hand to the community in order to promote independence, keep people connected and support those in crisis. JCS provides services both in person and over the phone and work in ways that ensure that no one is left vulnerable or isolated.
2. JCS is the only social care charity dedicated to the needs of the Jewish community in Scotland, working in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council and in liaison with Local Authorities and agencies throughout Scotland.
3. Jewish Care Scotland, Scottish Registered Charity No. SC005267
4. Jewish Care Scotland, The Walton Community Care Centre, May Terrace, Giffnock, G46 6LD
5. The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland), Scottish Registered Charity No. SC011789
6. Further media enquiries contact Robyn Friel, Interim Deputy CEO/ Head of Income Generation of Jewish Care Scotland, 0141 620 1800 or email robynf@jcarescot.org.uk