Unsung heroes awarded for their 'invaluable' contribution to Jewish Care

Jewish Care paid tribute to more than 40 people at this year’s Volunteers’ Awards, held at the charity’s Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green.

Each award was presented by comic scriptwriter and author Ivor Baddiel.

Among those receiving an award in the young individual’s category was 17-year-old QE Boys’ School pupil, Terrell Okhira.

Eighteen months ago Terrell walked into Rubens House, a residential care home in Ballards Lane, Finchley, to offer his services as a volunteer and “do something useful” with his weekends.

Since then, he has given up his Saturday mornings to chat and play board games with those living at Rubens House which offers dementia and respite care.

Terrell said: “It is good to be recognised for this work and I hope that I will encourage other people my age to take part in volunteering.”

Other award winners included the Young Israelis Professionals Group and the Friends of the Holocaust Survivors Centre in Hendon.

Tributes were also paid to all 3,000 Jewish Care volunteers for their hard work and support.

Following the event, Sonia Douek, Jewish Care’s head of volunteering and community development said: “We greatly value the contribution of our volunteers in Barnet.

“If we could give an award to every single volunteer we would. We value their time and are grateful for every minute of it.

“We congratulate each and every one of our award winners and take our hats off to all our volunteers for their amazing contribution. This community wouldn’t be the same without them.”

Volunteer and president of Jewish Care Lord Levy said: “Our joint contribution as volunteers is invaluable to the organisation. Without it Jewish Care would have to reduce the services it offers.

“Again this year, we have been able to put a real value against the contribution of our volunteers and we estimate this to be over one million hours at nine-and-a-quarter million pounds.”