People from the 0 to 105 from across the community took part in purple-themed activities for Jewish Care’s Go Purple week a positive way to do something purple to chase away the January blues, whilst raising awareness and showing appreciation of Jewish Care’s vital work supporting older people in the community.

Local school and nursery children, residents, volunteers, staff, community centre members and shops all got involved visiting care homes and community centres.

Jewish Care’s mascot, Chava Heart, made friends with children at Alonim Nursery, Keren’s Nursery and Yeladenu nursery, enjoying a Hava Nagila on the visit.

At Alonim Nursery, the children welcomed Chava Heart and made purple heart posters of the mascot to send to care home residents and the residents at Jewish Care’s Otto Schiff care home, were delighted to receive them. Dorothea, who is approaching her 100th birthday was delighted to receive a Go Purple card from the children, she said, “Thank you so much to the children, these are beautiful.”

Patsy Maltz, Headteacher at Alonim Nursery, said, “It’s such a pleasure to take part in ‘Go Purple week’, to raise awareness and funds for Jewish Care,” and one of the children from Alonim Nursery said, ‘It is nice to care for someone, it feels good. My favourite part was tickling the heart.”

Keren’s Nursery embraced Go Purple week from all perspectives, encouraging children to bring a coin to put in their charity box and or parents to donate by text if they wanted to. The nursery children took part in different activities, arts and crafts using purple paint, cards, sensory trays, and even purple playdoh.

Meanwhile, children from Clore Tikva Primary School visited Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre for a purple-themed circuit training sessions for mind, body and soul with members, volunteers and staff. After the activities, 10

year old Renée, said, “I really liked it, it was good fun and nice being with everyone at the centre.”

Volunteer, Iris Taylor, who runs the exercise class twice a week, added, “It’s been wonderful. It’s great for the kids and the members to get together to have fun.”

JCOSS students and members of Jewish Care’s Sam Beckman’s Centre for people living with dementia took part in purple-themed baking activities and a mini-purple Olympics.

Volunteers delivered Go Purple biscuits to Jewish Care’s Meals on Wheels clients last week with their meals and shops, Hadar and Daniel’s Bakery also showed their support with stalls and heart-shaped biscuits for #Go Purple week and a visit from Chava Heart.

Adam Overlander-Kaye, Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Community Engagement, says, “We all need a little bit of fun, so it’s been great to see the community of all ages taking part in Go Purple week for Jewish Care. Our giant heart mascot, Chava Heart, had a wonderful time meeting everyone and I’d like to thank all the schools, nurseries, shops, supporters, care homes and community centres residents, staff and members for getting involved in purple-themed activities. It is wonderful way to connect and engage with Jewish Care’s vital work supporting older people in the community”.