Author: Robyn

At our AGM in September 2025, we launched our next, five-year strategic plan for Jewish Care Scotland.

We have been working for the last year or so on developing this next strategic plan.

Many of our valued stakeholders were involved in gathering feedback, through speaking with us, sharing ideas and telling us what is important to you.  We shared a stakeholder feedback survey, as widely as we possibly could to get people’s views and perceptions of Jewish Care Scotland.  Many volunteers, service users and visitors completed it and we tried to reach members of the Jewish Community who currently don’t engage with us to find out why, and what we could do that might encourage them to engage.  We set up a Strategy subgroup, comprising of staff, volunteers and Board members to analyse the findings alongside looking at demand for our current services.  We are proud to share this new Strategic Plan with you now.

Our vision has been fine-tuned, with a focus on creating opportunities to connect.  Our purpose is a bit clearer, emphasising that the work that we do and the services we provide are designed to enhance and to enrich people’s lives in various way.  Our values remain the same with a focus on collaboration in the coming years.

Through all of our data gathering, informal conversations, staff brainstorming sessions and Board meetings we agreed that our three strategic priorities would remain the same.  Connecting People, Promoting Wellbeing and Maximising Resources.

You can read the Strategic Plan online by clicking this link.  Or you can request a printed copy by calling 0141 620 1800, emailing admin@jcarescot.org.uk or pick one up from our Information Station at Jewish Care Scotland.

Jewish Care Scotland marked a huge milestone with Honorary Vice-President Joan Sellyn.  Jewish Care Scotland Chairman Dr Richard Groden, Honorary President Maureen Solomons, Honorary Vice-President Lesley Roles joined Joan and her grandchildren Marc and Gabrielle at Joan’s home for a surprise tea to mark her upcoming 100^th birthday.

Along with Chief Executive Linda Kemp and Deputy Chief Executive Robyn Friel, the group celebrated Joan’s birthday as well as reminiscing and reflecting on Joan’s impressive contribution to Jewish Care Scotland and the wider Community.

Maureen Solomons remembered how she looked up to Joan as her mentor when she first started volunteering with Jewish Care Scotland in 1986, and described her as the voice of reason.  Maureen, Joan and Lesley remembered an intensive counselling course that they embarked upon together, with Joan helping to organise weekend retreats as part of the learning and always making sure the group had their home comforts while they were away learning.  They reflected on Joan’s motto which was “just do it”, and according to her grandchildren that hasn’t changed!

Joan was presented with flowers, cakes and a certificate from Jewish Care Scotland marking her 100^th birthday in October and told us of her time at Jewish Care Scotland that it was “all good fun”.

Sunday 7 September 2025

Jewish Care Scotland, The Jewish Council of Scotland and The Scottish Jewish Youth Alliance were delighted to collaboratively host a Rosh Hashanah Fayre at the Walton Community Care Centre and Maccabi Glasgow.

The event was an opportunity to spotlight the talents of Jewish makers, artists and small businesses from all across the country.  There were 17 stallholders from across Glasgow, Edinburgh and even Dundee.  The event also saw the launch of a Hannah Frank exhibition, with thanks to the Glasgow Women’s Library, as part Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage Month.  There was live music from Ingrid and Eric, live performances from Marnie, apple juicing with Rob and a visit from Laura and the team at Bunny & Co.  

We were delighted to have the support of ten volunteers who kept the day, and the café, running smoothly welcoming over 200 visitors!

The event was a truly collaborative one, bringing together many different people from the Community in time to celebrate the New Year.  Huge thanks to everyone involved for making the day such a fun Community event.  See you next year!

We are hiring two key roles to join the team and drive forward our upcoming strategic plan from 2025 to 2030.

Check out the job roles here.

We want everyone to enjoy celebrating Rosh Hashanah which is why JCS are offering a Rosh Hashanah grant for anyone struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time.

Applicants may be asked to provide proof of income and expenditure to progress their application.  All enquiries are treated with discretion and respect.  

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 15 September and successful grants will be paid by Friday 19 September 2025.

Jewish Care Scotland are proud to announce a new funding opportunity to support people in the Community to advance their careers and take on new opportunities.  With thanks to a gift from the Harris Kaufman Trust, Jewish Care Scotland can now offer support to individuals to achieve their full potential.

Whether you are in Higher Education and need support to purchase books or equipment to help you succeed, looking to take on professional qualifications to allow you to advance in your career, or looking for a change and a fresh start and need some support to do so we might be able to help.  These grants are aimed at individuals with low disposable income and savings who are keen to progress in their chosen vocation.

One member of the community has already benefitted from the fund, taking on a CIPD level 5 qualification.  She told us, “Without the support of Jewish Care Scotland and the Harris Kaufman Trust, I would never have been able to undertake this course and progress to a new role.”  For more information and for a confidential chat, please contact the team by calling 0141 620 1800 or email hello@jcarescot.org.uk.

Jewish Care Scotland’s Senior Support Worker, Jean Guthrie, has been named a finalist at the Scottish Care Care at Home Awards 2025 in the Leadership Category.  Jean joined Jewish Care Scotland almost two years ago and has brought a wealth of experience in care as well as an abundance of passion and determination to provide quality care.  Every day Jean goes above and beyond and sets a great example for all her colleagues.

JCS Deputy Chief Executive, Robyn Friel said of the news, “Jean is a valued member of the team who really does go above and beyond every day for the people we support.  Jean leads by example and is a real inspiration to all the staff team and to the volunteers who support the work of Jewish Care Scotland in the Community too.  This recognition is so deserved and we are all so proud to have Jean on the team.”

The winner will be revealed at the Scottish Care Care at Home Awards in Glasgow in May.

Jewish Care Scotland and their team members have been recognised by a national care awards.  The charity and some of their team have been shortlisted at the Scottish Care Care at Home and Housing Support Awards 2024.

Jacqueline Speirs, Support Worker with Jewish Care Scotland since early 2023 has been shortlisted in the Emerging Talent category.  This award will recognise someone new to the sector or someone who has grown in their role to become a shining example of the care at home workforce.  This is Jacqueline’s first professional care role following a successful career in marketing and this recognition is well deserved following such a positive impact on the team and the people supported by Jewish Care Scotland.

Jewish Care Scotland CEO Linda Kemp has been recognised in the Positive Impact category, which will recognise someone who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the sector.  Linda has brought over 35 years’ management experience within health and social care across the private and public sectors including the NHS, Scottish Prison Service, Local Authority, private care provision and the Care Inspectorate to Jewish Care Scotland since her appointment in August 2022.

The organisation, based in Giffnock, has also been shortlisted in the prestigious Provider of the Year category.  The charity adapted their service delivery due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns in 2020 to be able to offer care at home.  These services have increased in demand since then and have a hugely positive impact on those who are supported by the service.

The winners will be announced at the Scottish Care Care at Home & Housing Support Awards in Glasgow in May.