Ivor Baddiel compères annual Jewish Care Volunteer Awards

Jewish Care has held it annual celebration for the incredible contribution made by the charity’s dedicated supporters, presenting 22 awards at the Betty and Aubrey Lynes Volunteer Awards in the Wohl Synagogue at Jewish Care’s Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet.

The event was compered by TV and radio scriptwriter Ivor Baddiel, with Jewish Care’s Chair, Marcus Sperber thanking volunteers for their service and resilience.

He said: “I feel a profound sense of responsibility and pride. I and my fellow trustees are all volunteers, just like so many of you who are with us in the room tonight. Each of us, together with the Jewish Care staff, knows that our work would not be possible without all of you who volunteer alongside us and who commit to supporting our members, residents, clients, tenants and their relatives every day.

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“In times of challenge, your commitment to volunteering and communal service stands as a beacon of hope. It reminds us that even in times of adversity when we come together and unify, we can make a difference and create positive change. Volunteering transcends borders, politics and personal beliefs. It is rooted in compassion, empathy and the desire to uplift others without expecting anything in return. All of you in this room tonight embody those values and continue to make a difference and for that we are truly grateful.”

The Sonia Douek Volunteer of the Year Award – Lesley Midda

This award was presented by Michelle Weiner, and was created in memory of her mother, the late Sonia Douek, a deeply respected leader at Jewish Care and a pioneer of person-centred care.

She said: “Sonia devoted her life to enhancing the dignity and wellbeing of older people across the Jewish community in the UK and beyond. She was instrumental in developing innovative approaches to dementia care and was among the first to champion the “time-banking” model, recognising that older people could contribute their skills and experience as active partners in community life. Her visionary work helped shape what became Jewish Care’s highly successful Supportive Communities programme.

“Sonia’s legacy continues to inspire Jewish Care’s volunteers and staff, and her influence remains central to the organisation’s ethos of compassion, dignity, and inclusion.”

Lesley Midda was honoured for embodying the same spirit of dedication, kindness, and excellence that defined Sonia’s work.

In her acceptance speech, Lesley said she was “deeply honoured to receive this award. Volunteering has never been about recognition, it’s been about showing up, doing what I can and being part of something bigger than myself. But this acknowledgment means a lot. It reminds me that every hour, every effort and every small act truly matters.”

Chief Executive Special Recognition Award – Ana Broider

Jewish Care chief executive Daniel Carmel-Brown presented this award, saying: “At 94 years young, Ana Broider received recognition for a decade of service to Jewish Care’s Memory Way Café for those living with dementia and their carers and the Elevenses Café, which was created to support long-term carers whose partners have recently moved into residential care or passed away.

“Ana first came to the Memory Way Café with her late husband. After experiencing the care, kindness, and support offered by staff and volunteers, she decided to give back to the community that had supported them both. Nothing is too much trouble for Ana, her kindness and dedication enrich the lives of members each week.”

In her acceptance speech, Ana said: “It was absolutely wonderful. Whatever I do, I try my best, I don’t feel like I deserve an award because I love volunteering and want to give back, but I am very grateful. I honestly wish I could do more, but at my age I’m at my limit.”

Best Newcomer Award – Zoe Reese

Zoe Reese, a volunteer at Jami’s social enterprise café, Head Room, was recognised for her “warmth, creativity, and inclusive approach”. Since joining earlier this year, Zoe has co-facilitated the weekly walking group, monthly music group, and open mic evenings, and become a Community Befriender in the café, quickly becoming an integral part of the team.

Distinctively Jewish Awards – Linda Stone and Michael Ross

Linda Stone was honoured for enriching Jewish life at Sundridge Court Care home in Golders Green. She established a residents’ committee, ensuring their voices are heard and plays a pivotal role in fostering a stronger Jewish atmosphere through Shabbat and festival celebrations and Jewish programming.

She said: “It’s a team effort, it’s not just me so this is really for all the group I volunteer with on a Shabbat. We are very close, and all enjoy it so much.”

Michael Ross has volunteered for over eight years at Jewish Care’s synagogue at The Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet. Described as an “integral part of the synagogue”, he was recognised for his leadership and humour in running weekly Kiddish and services, bringing warmth and connection to residents.

Michael said: “I love volunteering. It gives me the opportunity to give something back to all these amazing residents and I get the benefit as well as they do. They love what I do, and I love what they do, and I think that sums it up. It’s just a wonderful organisation and I’m proud and honoured to be part of it. To be chosen for the Jewish aspect has made me more proud than anything.”

Young Volunteer Award – Izzy Goodman and Harrison Woolf

Recognised for her compassionate work with residents living with dementia at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House care home, sixth-form student Izzy Goodman said: “I am really grateful to be here and love volunteering at Jewish Care.”

Harrison Woolf, aged 14, affectionately known as “Shabbat Boy”, was praised for his commitment and growing confidence supporting Friday Kiddush services.

Harrison shares, “Winning this award means a lot to me considering this originally started because I had to complete volunteering for my Duke of Edinburgh award, but ever since, I have gotten closer and closer to the residents at Jewish Care. Getting to know them over so many years meant my bond with them kept getting stronger. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to win this.”

Contribution to Management Award – Sandra Brandes

At the Stepney Day Centre, Sandra has been a consistent and compassionate presence, volunteering twice weekly, making befriending calls, and contributing to fundraising efforts through the Friends of Stepney committee.

Sandra said: “I feel so honoured. We put in such hard work, it’s so nice to be recognised.”

Innovative and Creative Award – Simon Elman

Befriender Simon Elman was celebrated for creating volunteer meetups – a space for them to share stories, advice, and encouragement over coffee. The initiative has now expanded, and the befriending team hosts volunteer coffee mornings in Golders Green, Edgware, and East London. Thanks to Simon, volunteers now feel more connected, better supported, and empowered in their roles. This initiative has strengthened the overall befriending programme and brought renewed energy and camaraderie to those involved.

Simon said: “We don’t do what we do for awards, we do them because we love our community, but to be acknowledged is a wonderful thing. I’ve worked with Jewish Care for 18 years now, it is so lovely to be recognised and a very humbling experience. It is a joy to be here.”

Outstanding Fundraiser Award – David Pollock

David Pollock, Chair of the Topland Business Lunch Committee was recognised for three decades of fundraising success. Since 1999, the event has raised a staggering £17 million for Jewish Care, including a record-breaking £485,000 this year.

He said: “Fundraising for Jewish Care is made so much easier by the niceness and decency of both the professionals and volunteers, and the fact that the charity does such amazing work.”

Unsung Hero Award – Rita Rogers and Albert Joseph

Rita was honoured for more than 20 years of volunteering across Jewish Care’s Redbridge community and dementia programmes. She has got to know each of the members well and supports them with care and kindness, while also being a great source of encouragement to fellow volunteers and staff.

Rita, who has also raised funds for Jewish Care by crafting and selling her handmade stuffed animals, said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed and shocked that I got the award for Unsung Hero, it means the world to me because I love being a volunteer, it gives me great pleasure in everything I do.”

Albert Joseph was recognised for his dedication delivering Meals on Wheels to vulnerable residents in Redbridge and Stepney Green and said: “I love working for Jewish Care and the job that we all do is amazing. The award that I have received is so meaningful and I feel so appreciated.”

Making a difference Award – Eddie Summers and Stuart Linke

At 93 years young, Eddie Summers continues to inspire with his humour and creativity at the Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus. Eddie leads his brilliant quizzes filled with fun, jokes, and a zest for life that’s infectious. His sessions bring people together in laughter and connection. Eddie, who also shares his creative talents through stories and poetry, said: “It is a great honour to have won this award”.

Stuart Linke, a retired clinical psychologist, was honoured for his volunteer work supporting mental health education and trauma response following 7 October.

He said: “I felt privileged to be counted among all the amazing volunteers at Jewish Care and Jami. Their commitment and dedication are truly impressive. The event was beautifully arranged and demonstrated how vital all types of volunteering are, and this was generously recognised and valued by the organisers.”

Team of the Year Award – Pastoral Support 

The pastoral support volunteers from the End-of-Life Team were celebrated for their compassion and teamwork in providing emotional and spiritual care to residents and their families.

Volunteer Maureen Valins said: “I just feel really privileged. Before I had this role, I was visiting someone I knew at Vi & John Rubens and being the person she last spoke to made me feel so honoured. It was then I started doing pastoral support. I’ve had to say goodbye to lots of people, but it feels so meaningful, and I value the time that I can share with each person every time I visit, even more.”

Contribution to Operational Services Award – Edward Usick

Edward volunteers three days a week at Jewish Care’s Michael Sobell Jewish Community Centre café at the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus. His reliability, gentle nature, and quiet dedication have made him a valued member of the team.

Edward said: “I don’t do it for the recognition.”

Couldn’t Do It Without You Award – Ivor Baddiel

Director, Richard Shone, presented the award to Ivor Baddiel, saying, “For the last ten years, Ivor has compered the Volunteer Awards. He makes each of the award winners feel like the stars that they are and he does it all with that trademark mix of wit and warmth. On top of that, Ivor also delivered Meals on Wheels to people during Covid and continues weekly challah deliveries to Holocaust survivors. Always happy to help out, he has given talks at Jewish Care’s Selig Court retirement living and hosted Jewish Care’s fundraising dinner for the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.”

Awards also went to Mandi Dobias, John Stilitz, Clive Wiseman, Sharon Levy and Taryn Levin, each recognised for their outstanding commitment to community, from organising Holocaust survivor tea parties to running local befriending groups and supporting operational services.

After the event, Richard Shone, Jewish Care’s director of community services, volunteering, social work & hospitality, said: “We celebrate the dedication and commitment of all our amazing volunteers. Each of them makes a huge difference every day to the lives of those we support, and we are truly grateful – we couldn’t do what we do without them.”