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Date:  27 March 2008

Lunch marks retirement of ‘professional volunteer’

A luncheon held at the Brenner Community Centre in Stamford Hill marked the retirement of Sally Levy, a social worker with the National Health Service, who helped Jewish Care’s north-east social work team as a volunteer for 19 years. She is now stepping down from her voluntary role to spend more time with her family.

Sally Levy said: “I originally trained as an analytical chemist and this stood me in good stead because if there was a problem I would find an answer. I always wanted to do social work so I studied in the evenings to get my qualification and [the Borough of] Hackney paid for my course. I became senior social worker for three hospitals – Whipps Cross, Langthorne and Chingford.

“When I retired I approached Jewish Care’s volunteer department to see what I could do and they needed me to befriend elderly people in the East End. I became volunteer coordinator with the north-east social work team which covers Hackney and Stepney and until recently I was based at the Bearsted Centre in Stamford Hill. What I liked most about the job was being in touch with people and helping them to overcome some of their problems, as well as befriending and supporting volunteers.”

Pauline Gusack, Jewish Care’s volunteer and community development manager, presented Sally with a certificate and a bouquet of flowers, acknowledging her “outstanding and dedicated service.” In addition to her work with the north-east team, she ran a support group for volunteers at Stepney Community Centre, and helped to set up a social club for people in their 40s to 60s.

There was praise from Jewish Care’s chief executive Simon Morris, who unable to attend the party, wrote Sally a letter, noting the “positive effect” she had made on the lives on hundreds, if not thousands of people: “If we had developed the science of cloning, we would have cloned you and put you all over Jewish Care, because your professionalism, dedication and commitment to our clients is inspirational. I am sorry to be losing someone of your calibre.”

On hearing the accolades, Sally told the guests: “I am overwhelmed and delighted. I felt driven to work for Jewish Care and I am deeply touched by the warmth, affection and loyalty you have demonstrated over the years. The clients have benefited enormously from the help they receive.”

For information on volunteering opportunities call 020 8922 2405 or email volunteer@jcare.org