Jewish Care Scotland’s Honorary President, Maureen Solomons, is one of our organisations’ longest running volunteers, with decades of experience under her belt! Originally, Maureen volunteered for Age Concern Scotland for around three years when in 1986 her sister-in-law, who was already volunteering with JCS, recommended she get involved.

Reflecting on the start of her volunteering journey: “I came along and had my interview with the late Freda Jackson, who was an amazing lady, one of the original ladies. And that was it! The minute I walked through the door, I knew it was different from anything I’d done before. I just knew, and I never looked back!”

In the early days Jewish Care Scotland was still referred to as the Glasgow Jewish Welfare Board and had yet to relocate to our well-known Giffnock location headquarters. Maureen reflects that although the old building on Coplaw Street was old and could be considered a bit “higglety pigglety”, everyone loved it and saw it as a second home for the community and the surrounding areas. Volunteers would be able to reach people from the Gorbals all the way through to Shawlands before we took on the big move in 1996 when JCS moved in next to Macabi in May Terrace, Giffnock.

Over the years Maureen has grown and changed alongside JCS; from performing in community cabaret events each year at Chanukah time to helping to establish and coordinate her fellow volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic, Maureen is an integral part of Jewish Care Scotland. Ten years ago, Maureen has the honour of speaking at Glasgow City Chambers for Jewish Care Scotland’s 150th anniversary.

 

 

After many months of social distancing in 2020, JCS realised just how different the social care landscape was looking. To tackle these changes a group of volunteers, spearheaded, by Maureen alongside Lesley Roles and Avril Levy, boldly initiated the first ‘Welcome Wednesday’ drop-in café to promote the communities’ wellbeing and allow them to connect with one another! To this day Welcome Wednesday is still going strong, boasting 30 – 50 attendees per week. This would have simply not been possible without Maureen Solomons.

Reminiscing on her sweetest memory of JCS, Maureen prides herself on the achievement of her volunteering cohort who won the Queen’s award for volunteering. To commemorate the award a Royal Lord Lieutenant visited the centre to present the volunteer team with their honorary award. Over the years Jewish Care Scotland has had countless lovely memories of Maureen and simply couldn’t choose just one!

31 March 2025

JCS have launched a special one-off grant to support low-income families hoping to send their child to this year’s Maccabi Summer Scheme.   The summer scheme will take place between Monday 7 and Friday 11 July, at a total cost of £175 with a 10% discount for a second child.  Jewish Care Scotland is offering a limited number of one-off grants of £175 to eligible applicants. 

Robyn Friel, JCS Deputy Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this grant to ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to anyone taking part in this year’s Summer Scheme at Maccabi Glasgow.  The cost-of-living crisis continues to impact families and with the summer holidays approaching we want to make sure that no child misses out on the chance to attend the Summer Scheme and make some great memories.” 

The one-off grant is now open to applications.  Please contact the team at Jewish Care Scotland for more information by emailing Nicole at hello@jcarescot.org.uk or calling 0141 620 1800.  Applicants will be asked to evidence their disposable income to determine eligibility and further support may be available to those who would benefit.  All applications and enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence and payment will be made directly to Maccabi for successful applicants. 

For more information on the Maccabi Summer Scheme please contact Shayna Conn by emailing Shayna-SJYA@glasgowmaccabi.org.uk. 

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Jewish Care Scotland are preparing our Annual Review to share updates on our work in the community in 2023, with a special feature on our 165^th Anniversary celebrating 165 years caring in the community.  Our Annual Review also highlights the positive impact that our funders and services have made over the year. 

Our Annual Review is an important publication as it provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements, highlight our fantastic services and the impact they have on the people we support as well as giving us a platform to acknowledge the support we receive from volunteers, funders and companies like yours.  Our 165^th Anniversary has highlighted the importance of recording our history and ensuring memories are created for future generations.  Your support will help us to fund this project and will ensure your support is remembered as a significant part of our history. 

 

 

Our Annual Review is available to download online as well as being distributed to our Board of Trustees, donors, stakeholders, potential funders and of course the people we support and their families. 

Thank you for your continued support and generosity of Jewish Care Scotland and for your part in our story.

Last Thursday Jewish Care Scotland celebrated their 165^th anniversary with an intimate gathering at the Walton Community Care Centre. Guests included members of the Board, Honorary Presidents and Vice-Presidents, and funders  who were invited to decades of service dedicated to the community while reflecting on 165 years

Guests were invited to   enjoy a premiere viewing of a short film summarising the services the charity offers in 2024 and the positive impact on  the community. Treated to popcorn and canapés, attendees enjoyed the short film before gathering in the day centre to look back through the years, tracing how far we’ve come.

Jewish Care Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Linda Kemp said of the milestone anniversary: “Jewish Care Scotland provide a great vehicle for people to connect and be part of their community. When we ask people what they want from JCS, they tell us it’s that opportunity to connect, meet new people and feel part of the community. That’s very important to them.”

Linda was joined by Board Chairman Dr Richard Groden, President of Glasgow Jewish Rep Council Timothy Lovat and the Provost of East Renfrewshire, Mary Montague to connect and mark the momentous occasion.

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.

On Sunday the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust sadly announced that Henry Wuga had died, just a month after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Henry Wuga has lived an extraordinary life. At just 15 years old Mr. Henry Wuga was evacuated from Nazi Germany, escaping to Glasgow where he became instrumental in educating people about the horrors of the Holocaust. He spent the majority of his life working to preserve records of the Holocaust; enabling people to learn about his remarkable life while guiding the community that had taken him in as a child refugee.

He later married and raised a family with Ingrid Wolffe, a fellow German-Jewish refugee. The couple continued to play an active role in engaging with schools, delivering speeches and classes on the Holocaust.

“When Henry and his wife attended Jewish Care Scotland clubs from time to time it was a great privilege to have them here.” Jewish Care Scotland’s Honorary President, Maureen Solomons reflects on Henry and Ingrid’s relationship with JCS.

At one point, Wuga worked as a ski instructor for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association where he taught veterans who had lost limbs to ski, for which he was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999.

JCS’s Head of Community and Wellbeing, Lynsey Allan recalls: “In later years Henry supported his wife, Ingrid. Ingrid was a great character at the club and I remember she particularly enjoyed sitting in the sunshine, as well as an occasional afternoon snooze! I was always touched by the sight of Henry waiting to collect her from the bus at the end of the day. They were clearly a great partnership and a loving couple.”

As renowned figure in the Glasgow-Jewish community Henry was a dedicated Holocaust educator whose light shined on many. His story lives on in everyone who was lucky enough to hear it.

JCS celebrate International Women’s Day with a ladies’ discussion panel

13 March 2024

To celebrate International Women’s Day JCS hosted their first Ladies’ Discussion Panel on Wednesday 13 March – together Lennie Wilson, joined by panellists Rebbetzin Rubin, Deborah Haas and Madeleine Black.

After JCS’s drop-in style café, Welcome Wednesday the all-ladies discussion garnered an engaged group to hear the panellists discuss topics relating to the achievements of women and girls in the community.

(L-R) Deborah Haas, Madeleine Black, Rebbetzin Rubin.

When asked what changes she’d like to see in society Madeleine Black stated: “Equality. Whether that’s through education or breaking the glass ceiling. Equal pay and career opportunities, being treated the same regardless of your age, gender or race. That’s what I’d like to see.”

The next panel, titled, ‘Where are we going as a community and congregation?’, will be held on Wednesday 10 April, discussion panellists to be confirmed. All are welcome and invited to come and be part of the conversation.

5 March 2024

Yesterday, JCS and pupils from Calderwood Primary School attended Generations Working Togethers’ intergenerational learning roadshow in Govanhill.

The Intergenerational project, which sees Calderwood Lodge Primary School pupils spend time with attendees of Jewish Care Scotland’s Wellbeing Hub throughout the school term, was a resounding success in 2023. The children and older people work together to have meaningful interactions and learning experiences.  The project has gained positive feedback from everyone involved.  After receiving a Highly Commended Award at the Generations Working Together Awards in 2023, JCS was invited to the roadshow to showcase the successful project.

 

JCS’s Registered Manager, Vicki McPhee: “What a fantastic opportunity to share the story of our Intergenerational journey with Calderwood Lodge Primary School whilst networking and learning from others. It was a pleasure to have been invited to speak at this event! Bringing younger and older generations together to learn from one another, share stories and building connections is a such meaningful project for Jewish Care Scotland, benefiting the wellbeing of everybody involved.”

 

The collaboration comes after a longstanding partnership with Calderwood Lodge Primary School working on smaller projects, the two local Jewish establishments came together to work on Intergenerational Projects with the aim of connecting people through shared culture and experiences.

 

For more information, please contact Cally by emailing Comms@jcarescot.org.uk

 

JCS want everyone to have the opportunity to observe and celebrate important times in the Jewish year. Once again, we are delighted to be able to offer our annual Pesach grants for anyone struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time.

This is a one-off grant, aimed at households with a limited income, of £80 for individuals increasing to £120 for households with children. Applications close Thursday 28 March at 5pm.

Upon application, you will be put in touch with one of our Community and Wellbeing Team. Any support offered will be dependent on individual circumstances and applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation. All applications are treated in strictest confidence and with discretion. Successful applicants will receive their grant by Thursday 18 April.

If you would like more information, or to apply for a Pesach Grant, please contact us on 0141 620 1800 or email hello@jcarescot.org.uk.

 

Jewish Care Scotland have received a grade 5 following an unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate at the end of October.  The grade 5, an evaluation of very good, applies to performance that demonstrates major strengths in supporting positive outcomes for people.

 

The inspection focussed on JCS’s registered services, including the weekly JCS Wellbeing Hub at Walton Community Care Centre and care at home.  The service is provided to adults and older people from the Jewish Community with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation and to increase feelings of wellbeing.

 

The key messages from the report include that the service provides a high level of person-centred care, and that the support is highly valued by the people who use the service.

 

Linda Kemp, Chief Executive at JCS, said: “I am delighted by the content of our Care Inspectorate report. It is extremely positive and identifies significant key strengths in all areas.  The report is a testament to the valuable contribution of all JCS staff.”

 

The JCS Wellbeing Hub provides registered day care to individuals who might otherwise struggle to get out and about.  With the support of trained staff, people can attend the weekly group in Giffnock to enjoy a morning coffee with friends and have a hot, two-course kosher lunch.  The JCS Wellbeing Hub offers access to meaningful activities, a cultural and social connection to suit individual needs.

 

JCS social support visits focus on improving and maintaining wellbeing, providing an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and to maintain cultural and social connections.   A recipient of JCS social support visits said, “without JCS I would be unable to leave the house.  Getting out has really helped me as I continue to recover from my stroke.”

 

The Care Inspectorate Inspection Report said of the service, “The social interaction provided by attending the Thursday session was valuable to people.  Social support was the focus of both the Thursday day centre and the one-to-one home visits.

“The individual social support allowed people to access their local community as well as the wider Jewish community. This was important for people who wished to maintain that important part of their lives and needed some support to do so.”

 

The full report is available to view here.  Further information on JCS services available can be found by emailing hello@jcarescot.org.uk.