Jewish Care unveils 5-year plan to double the number of people it supports by 2031

Jewish Care is aiming to raise £100 million in voluntary donations, to fulfil an ambitious five year plan to double the number of people it reaches by 2031.

The organisation’s new strategy, ‘Altogether Stronger’, is the result of hundreds of conversations across the Jewish community as well as the organisation itself.

Jewish Care consulted service users across care homes, community centres and mental health services, had discussions with donors, partner organisations and leaders across the Jewish community and reviewed independent data analysis on ageing, dementia, mental health and philanthropy trends, all of which fed into the new strategy.

Summing up the core of the plan, Jewish Care life president Lord Levy said: “We will lead in three critical areas: dementia care, mental health support, and end-of-life care and reach as many as one in five in the Jewish community through families and carers. We will also ensure long-term sustainability through innovation, technology, strong estates and engaging supporters across generations. To do all this we need to raise £100 million in voluntary donations.”

Chief executive Daniel Carmel-Brown added: “This expanding of our community services is in response to our aging Jewish community who have more complex needs – by 2031, one in five people in Britain will be over 65 and many more people are choosing to live independently in their own home for as long as possible.

“We are seeing a rising number of people living with dementia and 26% of our community now experience mental health challenges, facing loneliness and isolation. Younger people are asking for earlier mental health support. Families are balancing care, work and financial pressures. At the same time, Jewish identity is more diverse and expressed in many different ways. Growing antisemitism means that our Jewish community services are even more important to help people feel supported and connected to their personal identity and community.”

Expanding on the charity’s mission for 2026-2030, Jewish Care chair, Marcus Sperber, said: “The need for care, connection and community has never been greater. That is the driving force behind this new strategy. ‘Altogether Stronger’ sets out how we will reach more people in the Jewish community so they can live with dignity, purpose and connection – and receive the care and support they need at every stage of life.

Highlighting the importance Jewish Care plays across the community, Sheila, a member of The Sam Beckman Centre for people living with dementia, said: “I love it. The staff and volunteers are kind, welcoming and motivated to give us a good time. I feel very special when I am here and that’s because of them all.”

Sean, a member of The Zalman and Ruchi Noé Centre at Jewish Care’s Sandringham care campus, adds, “I think if the place wasn’t here, it would be a lot of people missing friendship, which I think to a lot of older people, like myself, is very important.”

John, a Jami client, added: “If it wasn’t for Jami, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. Jami’s peer support workers have listened to me, helped me, and been a comfort to me. But, most of all, it has given me hope for life, hope for the future and hope to my family that I’ll be around for many more years to come.”

Jewish Care, which came together with Jewish mental health charity Jami in 2023, is the largest health and social care charity for the Jewish community in London and the South East.

• To view Jewish Care’s five-year plan, click here.