US Unveils New Look For 'Community Cares' Programme
PRESS RELEASE
London,
13 February 2006
US UNVEILS NEW LOOK FOR ‘COMMUNITY CARES’ PROGRAMME
The United Synagogue celebrated five years of `US Cares` yesterday at St. John’s Wood Synagogue and unveiled its new name and logo – US Community Cares. Previously known as ‘US Cares’, the group co-ordinates Care teams at synagogues across London, which supports care groups and individuals who together with their rabbis provide welfare or care in their community. The event, attended by over 100 members of US Community Care teams and US representatives, reflected on the achievements of the past 5 years and looked at ways to develop Care teams in the future.
In the past 5 years, over 40 synagogues have created Care volunteer teams as a result of US Community Cares. They undertake to provide training in a variety of areas to improve awareness and knowledge in fields such as mental health issues, bereavement befriending, working with the rabbinic team to name but a few. In addition US Community Cares also runs training sessions for volunteers to ensure they are trained to fulfil whatever role is most needed as well as regular networking sessions to enable community interaction and sharing of good practise.
Speaking at the event, the Guest of Honour, Lady Sacks, wife of the Chief Rabbi, praised US Community Cares, saying: “This project is an integral part of our community life and is a shining example of the very best of our traditional value of care and respect for the elderly.”
US President Simon Hochhauser said: “Some 40 of our synagogues have taken part in US Community Cares training & initiatives over the last few years, enabling many volunteers to support members in their own communities far more effectively.
At the event Joy Conway stood down from the position of Chair of US Cares and was presented with a gift from the Cares Advisory Group for her immense effort and terrific strides in the group’s development. Joy will be succeeded by Stuart Bloom, Chair of Bushey Cares.
Leonie Lewis, Community Development Group Director of the United Synagogue, said, “We are delighted to celebrate 5 years of US Community Cares with the successful development of over 40 Care teams across the US. We are constantly looking at ways to improve and develop this group and our new name reflects our fresh outlook on the future. US Community Cares has proved invaluable to the community – all our teams consist of volunteers who ensure that our more vulnerable members have the care and support network that they need. I want to thank everyone who has made US Community Cares such a phenomenal success especially our former Chair, Joy Conway, and I hope that we see many more Care teams emerge in the next 5 years.”
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