Jewish Care at 35: a generational lifeline

When Jewish Care was born 35 years ago from the merger of the Jewish Welfare Board and the Jewish Blind Society, it marked more than just the joining of two organisations – it marked the beginning of a bold, compassionate response to the evolving needs of the Jewish community.

In the decades since, Jewish Care has grown into the largest health and social care charity for Jewish people in the UK. Today, it supports over 12,000 people every single week – offering not only care, but also comfort, connection and dignity.

Jewish Care has expanded into retirement living, introduced world-leading, culturally specific dementia care, and opened three care and community hubs to support local needs.

Much has changed since those early days. In the 1990s, most people entered care homes at around 81. Now, that age is closer to 90. Shared dormitories have been replaced with private, en-suite rooms.

Its latest project, the Sugar and Ronson Campus in Redbridge – set to open in June 2026 – is being purpose-built to serve the Jewish community of Essex and north-east London now and for generations to come.

But while the services have evolved, the values remain constant. At Jewish Care, Shabbat candles are lit every Friday across care homes and retirement living apartments. Twenty thousand bowls of chicken soup are lovingly prepared each year by the Hospitality team, and volunteers deliver 2,100 Meals on Wheels each month.

From Yiddish conversation groups to festival celebrations, every effort is made to help people stay connected to their Jewish identity, in the way that suits them best.

Though Jewish Care as we know it is 35 years old, its roots stretch back over two centuries through its founding organisations. Today, the charity offers everything from residential and end-of-life care to a dedicated centre for 250 Holocaust survivors, to community centres and mental health services through Jami—now an integral part of Jewish Care.

Royal support has been a constant, with visits from King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William, alongside backing from UK prime ministers. Public figures and celebrities—Gary Barlow, Dermot O’Leary, Lionel Richie, and more recently Nick Ferrari and Natasha Kaplinsky – have helped mark key milestones. Actor Jason Isaacs, whose father is supported by Jewish Care, also featured in the charity’s moving 35-year anniversary film.

Life President Lord Levy puts it best:“For over three decades, Jewish Care has been a pillar of strength, compassion and community. Jewish Care has adapted, grown and innovated, responding to changing needs while staying true to our core values of kindness, respect, and Jewish identity.

Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful supporters, we will continue to be here for many more years of compassion, connection and community for those who need it most.”

One area of particular pride is Jewish Care’s pioneering approach to dementia care. Over 150 care and hospitality staff have completed the DementiAbility programme, which focuses on helping people living with dementia to maintain independence, dignity and connection.

And it’s not just staff making a difference. Volunteers contribute time and care equivalent to over £9 million annually – a testament to the strength of community spirit.

Yet the challenges ahead are significant. Marcus Sperber, Chair of Jewish Care, outlines the scale of the task:“Over the next decade, the number of people needing dementia and end-of-life care will rise significantly, and more young people and adults are living with mental illness and distress.”

Since Jami joined Jewish Care, its mental health outreach has grown dramatically—from two residential homes to vital community support programmes. With the help of The Exilarch’s Foundation, Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young People’s Service is now reaching 11–18-year-olds in three Jewish secondary schools and the wider community. Four new counselling suites, generously funded by The Wohl Legacy, are offering a lifeline through talking therapies.

And the impact is real:

• 62 percent of Jami clients say they are now better able to cope with life’s challenges

• 10 percent say Jami has literally saved their lives

• 96 percent of attendees at Jami education events say they feel better equipped to support themselves or others

“Many of our essential services receive no government funding at all,” adds Sperber.

“With rising inflation, an ageing population, deepening loneliness and a growing mental health crisis, demand is surging, while government support declines.”

The numbers reflect the scale:

• 21,000 enquiries answered each year via the Jewish Care Direct helpline

• 1,200 individual cases supported by social workers

• 25,000 visits annually to community centres, mostly from older people living alone

• 1,000 befriending calls or visits made monthly by volunteers

All of this—plus specialist dementia care, end-of-life support, and mental health outreach—is only possible thanks to communal generosity and dedicated volunteers.

“This year, we must raise £20 million to continue to provide high-quality care and support – today, for our parents and grandparents, and for our children, our community’s future,” says Sperber.