Community’s citizens’ advice bureau holds reception as new trustee welcomed

Volunteers for the Jewish community’s citizens’ advice bureau Paperweight last week celebrated the charity’s annual summer reception.

Held at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue in Maida Vale, the event honoured the organisation’s impact since launch in 2010, and welcomed newly-appointed trustee Leonie Lewis, the former director of the Jewish Volunteering Network who was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours.

Guest speaker at the event was Gillian Merron, the chief executive of the Board of the Deputies, who thanked the volunteers for their outstanding contribution, and applauded co-founders Bayla Perrin and Benjamin Conway.

Paperweight provides practical support to anyone in crisis in the Jewish community. Its services are delivered free by a team of volunteer caseworkers, whose professional knowledge and experience helps to provide guidance on matters spanning financial, legal, welfare and benefits issues.

Since its founding, the charity has helped more than 1,500 clients and their families, who turned to it for advice at a time of crisis, such as after a bereavement, or during separation or divorce.