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Date: Tuesday 13 November 2007

Hairdresser for a day: Jewish Care's head office staff get volunteering

Jewish Care’s employee relations manager Sharron Grant swapped her head office desk for a very different role when she volunteered in the hairdressing salon at Jewish Care’s The Princess Alexandra Home in Common Road, Stanmore. Her voluntary stint took place during Jewish Social Action Month (13 October - 18 November) when 150 people from the charity’s head office in Golders Green, north-west London, were invited to spend a few hours volunteering.

Sharron Grant said: “I trained as a hairdresser and beauty therapist some years ago, so it was nice to return to it. I really enjoyed it. I was working alongside the home’s usual hairdresser, Julie Charteris, and she appreciated the help.”

Talking of her usual role, Ms Grant added: “I’ve been at Jewish Care for just over three years. I like working with people and I enjoy the level of responsibility. I travel around the different Jewish Care resources on a regular basis, but this was the first time that I have helped in a hands-on capacity.”

Trisha Ward, of Jewish Care’s volunteer department, said: “This is the first time that we have taken part in Jewish Social Action Month. Staff have taken on a wide range of roles and my job has been to match them to different services whether care homes, community centres, special day care centres or mental health resources. It has given them an opportunity to appreciate each other’s roles and professionalism – as well as promoting the concept of volunteering.”

The scheme was endorsed by Jewish Care’s chief executive, Simon Morris, who took part in a different initiative earlier this year during which the charity’s directors took on frontline roles. “I am very much in favour of Jewish Social Action Month, as it will encourage people to have a look at the wide range of work that goes on in the community.

Mr Morris added: “Our participation shows that it is not only businesses but charities themselves who should take on board the concept of corporate social responsibility and provide staff with opportunities for volunteering.”