Leeds social welfare organisations join forces with volunteer collaboration

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board and Leeds Jewish Housing Association have announced a new volunteer collaboration to strengthen community connections and enhance tenant experiences.

LJWB’s 250-strong volunteer service network is a key force for volunteer recruitment, training and development within the city’s Jewish community. It is understood that the new collaboration between the LJWB and LJHA will see the latter benefit from expanded access to the former’s areas of work, enabling more effective use of volunteers to support tenants and strengthen community life for their residents.

Key hoped for benefits are understood to include a more welcoming moving experience for tenants, helping those who may need additional help to settle into their homes with greater confidence and ease, and more friendly volunteer support to promote independence and wellbeing.

The collaboration will also endeavour to reduce isolation and increase social connection for tenants, with the aim of fostering a stronger sense of belonging and strengthening community spirit.

LJHA director of operations Craig Simons, said: “By combining resources, expertise and shared values, LJHA and LJWB are creating a more integrated approach to volunteering support – one that places people and community at its core. We are tapping into LJWB’s volunteer pool bringing both additional resources, skill and appropriate training whilst ensuring value for money for those we support.”

He added that the collaboration reflects “a shared commitment to innovation, compassion and partnership” and hopes, moving forward, the initiative will “further enhance the services we provide, deepen community engagement and create more opportunities for volunteers to play a meaningful role in supporting others.”

LJWB chief executive Liz Bradbury said: “Our amazing volunteering team are proud to be supporting LJHA. Volunteering changes lives — for the people helped and for volunteers, who gain so much from being part of something so worthwhile.

Together, LJWB and LJHA are demonstrating the power of partnership – creating stronger connections, richer experiences, and a more vibrant, supportive community for all.”

LJHA currently runs several activities both within its sheltered housing schemes and within the wider resident community, and will seek to broaden this further through the initiative.