For first time since start of pandemic, Jewish Care reopens community centres

Members at the Dennis Centre in Ilford and The Sam Beckman Centre based in Freirn Barnet’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, were among the first to have in-person activities

Community centres run by the community’s largest care organisation, Jewish Care, begun reopening in-person this week for the first time since the pandemic began.

Members at the Dennis Centre in Ilford and The Sam Beckman Centre based in Freirn Barnet’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre, were among the first to go back.

From July to October, the charity will reopen all of its dementia day centres and community centres, alongside its other support services such as its befriending service and Meals on Wheels.

Roberta, whose husband, Henry is a member of the Dennis Centre, said: “Henry’s been looking forward to coming back. It’s good to know that Henry can enjoy spending the day here and I can go and do a few things without worrying about him.”

Henry and Roberta on the first day of reopening of Jewish Care’s Dennis Centre for people living with dementia

The organisation will require regular Covid testing for staff and volunteers at the centres, who will wear masks indoors.

Online programmes, called JC Presents, will also continue. But for some service users, many of whom have dementia and found online programmes less accessible, the move to in-door services will end months of isolation.

Richard Shone, the charity’s director of community development, said: “It’s wonderful to see each other face to face again, we have all really missed seeing our members in person.”