The United Synagogue

US Community Cares

United Synagogue Community Cares has rapidly developed over the past 8 years, to offer the highest quality of care services to our communities. We encompass 42 Care Groups under the direction of skilled Care Coordinators, who look after the emotional and physical needs of the elderly and those in need in our community.

Centrally we support our Care Groups through the provision of information, training, support and advice to our Coordinators and Volunteers:

• Training seminars and workshops enable our Care Coordinators and Volunteers to develop their skills and share valuable information
• Networking forums provide a means of communication for all those engaged in supporting members across the US' communities
• Provision of Rosh Hashanah honey cakes and Pesach food parcels to be delivered to the elderly and those in need in our community, allow our Care Groups to reach out to those in need

Recently brought within the framework of Project Chesed, we inspire our community to support the needs of those in their community through their community Care Group. Hundreds of volunteers are caring every day for thousands of people in our community. Whether it's offering a listening ear, helping with shopping, or walking an elderly member to shul, they are the amazing individuals making a difference to the lives of our members and the build of our communities.

To see more about how we support those in need in our community at different times of the year, please browse the links to the left hand side of the page.

Unfortunately, the demand for our services grows every year as our Coordinators identify more people in need of our support. We are indebited to the United Synagogue community who, through our Pesach Appeal, fund every honey cake and food parcel delivered to a person in need. This vital work relies on voluntary contributions. To make a donation, please contact cwoolfson@theus.org.uk

If you would like to know more about volunteering for a Care Group, or know someone who would benefit from the support services of our Care Groups, please contact cwoolfson@theus.org.uk (020 8343 5688)

Together with existing agencies that offer care and support and other United Synagogue departments, we are always striving to improve the support we offer by sharing good practice, listening and working with those engaged in the field of care, and referring individual members to the appropriate agency if required. We would love to hear from you if you feel we can improve the level of service we offer.

The USCC team:

Stuart Bloom - Chairman, USCC
Candice Woolfson - Project Chesed Director - 020 8343 5688


How We Help You

We are constantly striving to create a link across the United Synagogue communities and ensure that all members feel they belong to an organisation that cares for them.

USCC reflects the readiness of local people to respond to any individual who may welcome practical or emotional support or just befriending, in accordance with the Jewish ethos of caring for our fellow human beings. Volunteers help to create a network of support, especially at times of difficulty, and contribute to the well being of the community.

Our Care Groups offer a range of services to communities, such as home and hospital visits, home help, financial and legal advice, a care help line, bereavement counseling, befriending, and more.

Many communities have a USCC Telephone Helpline which offers a confidential service to members who need assistance. Please do not hesitate to call. You should receive a response to your message within 24 hours.

● Barnet - 020 8446 1282.
● Bushey - 020 8950 3344
● Chigwell - 07841 989999
● Cockfosters & N. Southgate - 020 8882 2332
● Hampstead Garden Suburb - 020 8455 0040 / helpline@hgss.org.uk
● Hendon - 020 8202 1221
● Northwood - 01923 826644
● Pinner - 020 8429 2025
● Stanmore - 020 8954 3300

To speak to a Care Group not listed above, please phone your shul office who will put you in touch with your local Care Group Coordinator.

For further shul information please visit Our US Communities


Training

Our Care Groups do the important work of meeting our members' welfare needs, as we strive to be caring communities. There is increasing demand for welfare support from our members, both in practical and emotional terms, from what is an ageing population. We are always ensuring that the standards to which Coordinators and Volunteers deliver this support are continually improved.

Experienced trainers deliver our structured Training Programme which is available to all Care Groups and covers the following areas:

• Induction training for all Volunteers
• Specific skills training for all Volunteers
• Coordinators training on recruitment and supervision skills

To receive a copy of the USCC Training Programme for 2008-09, please contact cwoolfson@theus.org.uk


Code of Practice

The USCC Code of Practice for Coordinators and Volunteers (October 2008), provides guidance for our volunteers as they become involved in offering help, support and companionship to other members of their local community. It is intended to provide a consistent approach to the various activities provided by volunteers in different communities, and complements local policies and existing ways of working.

It also means that members of the community who are in contact with our volunteers are clear about the services that USCC can offer, and can have trust and confidence in the way volunteers approach their work.

The Code of Practice covers the following areas:

The role of the volunteer, Confidentiality, Boundaries, Responsibilities, Safety, Training, supervision and group meetings, Responsibilities of co-ordinator

All Rabbonim, Chairman and Care Groups have copies of the Code of Practice.

To order a copy of the Code of Practice, please email cwoolfson@theus.org.uk, alternatively you can click on the link below.

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