Norwood raises £2 million to counter shortfall in community provision
Strictly's Ellie Goldstein and Labour peer Luciana Berger pledge support to UK Jewish charity for people with learning disabilities and autism
Norwood appeal events held over the last month have raised £2 million towards vitally needed services, the charity has revealed, with Strictly Come Dancing sensation Ellie Goldstein and Labour peer Luciana Berger proudly giving their support to help raise the much-needed funds.
At a dinner for 400 of the charity’s most loyal supporters at the Chancery Rosewood Hotel in November, Chair Miles Webber referenced “a Norwood that is prepared to do things differently, a different venue, with a smaller, carefully selected guest list”.
Webber went on to call on “each and every one of you to stand with us, like never before”, and increase their contributions, pointing out that the community services provided by Norwood receive no government funding and are not readily available elsewhere.
Among that unfunded provision lies much of Norwood’s children and family services, which includes coaching, advocacy, therapy, peer support groups and short breaks provision to support the needs of the whole family.
Fresh from the Strictly dancefloor, surprise guest and Norwood alumni Ellie Goldstein took the stage to introduce a film showcasing how integrated music and movement sessions help improve communication skills and confidence for children and young people. often with profound learning disabilities.
Norwood fundraiser December 2025
At the second event, a lunch held at Tony Page Marylebone in December, Luciana, Baroness Berger spoke of her lifelong connection to Norwood, which had seen her volunteer to support afterschool clubs at the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre as a teenager, and co-found a Young Norwood professional committee at the start of her career.
She paid tribute to Norwood’s whole family support, which recognises the vital role that grandparents play in childcare for so many families. The charity’s new model of needs-based early intervention support, she stressed, was “essential for ensuring families got the support they needed to help improve their lives and dynamics, independent of diagnosis.”
It costs £32m a year to run Norwood’s life-enhancing services, of which £12m must be raised from voluntary donations.
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