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Date:  10 September 2007

JMUMS are first in country to hold mother-and-baby group meeting in a residential care home.

Mothers, babies and toddlers from JMUMS, a new group set up by the League of Jewish Women, made their inaugural visit to Jewish Care’s Princess Alexandra Home in Stanmore, where they spent time with care home residents.

Their visit was just before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, giving young people and older people an opportunity to share traditions such as blowing the shofar (ram’s horn). The residents played with the children, also helping them with their colouring.

Noa Phillips, who is the chairman of JMUMs, said: “I thought meeting in a care home could work nicely and the children and residents gelled well together. Many families do not have grandparents close by. Children love older people because in this fast-moving society where adults are so busy, elderly people have time to spend with them.

“We believe we are the first mother-and-baby group in the country to hold meetings in a residential care home. We are delighted with the first meeting – it went so well – and we will be meeting there twice a month.

Their visit was a hit with the residents: “I never had the gift of children, they were gorgeous and I loved playing with them,” declared Sally Isaacs, 92.

Ella Marks, the League of Jewish Women’s national president, described the initiative as “an exciting new project. The League is breaking new ground with this venture – the group is structured in such a way that it can address many of the needs of young families that are not being currently met.”

Talking of the home’s youngest volunteers, Fionnuala Baiden, registered manager of The Princess Alexandra Home, said: “We are delighted to welcome JMUMS to the home – they are like a breath of fresh air.”