Research for Norwood says 23% polled may need additional services in next three years

Almost a quarter of Jewish people polled for special needs charity Norwood will expect to need additional support in the next three years.

In a poll of nearly 700 community members conducted by Survation for the UK’s oldest Jewish charity, it was revealed the overwhelming number of respondents would not be against seeking care outside the community.

23 percent of those polled are ‘likely’ to access the charity’s support services in the next three years, which includes helping people with learning disabilities and autism.

The poll, conducted in the first half of October amongst 673 respondents who consider themselves Jewish, highlighted that 34 percent don’t know where to turn to get support for autism and learning disabilities care, while 65 percent would seek help from either within or outside the community. 23 percent would only look within the community, and 10 percent only outside.

Amid the pandemic, the charity has changed its services to cater for people’s needs under restrictions. This includes providing phone consultations, in addition to occupational and speech and language therapies, opening clinics with specialists and expanding up its inclusion and disability training to the world of education.

Speaking about the expansion of its services and increase in demand, CEO of Norwood Dr Beverly Jacobson, said people had “always been ready to respond to the changing needs of our community and adapt its service provision to allow us to be there for those who need us the most”.

She added the charity will run a 36-hour matched funding campaign next month, “to help us support some of its most vulnerable members. With society’s needs having changed profoundly over the past 18 months, that support has become even more integral.”