The Paperweight Trust last week won “Outstanding Initiative in Response to the Covid 19 Pandemic” at the first ever London Borough of Barnet Faith and Belief Awards.

The Jewish community’s citizen’s advice bureau supports people from across the entire religious spectrum, who come to Paperweight at very difficult times in their lives, frequently due to life-changing circumstances such as job loss, family breakdown, serious medical diagnosis and bereavement. In 2021 alone, Paperweight dealt with over three thousand separate case issues, accounting for more than 50,000 volunteering hours.  

Delivered by the Barnet Multi Faith Forum and Middlesex University, these Awards celebrate outstanding contributions of faith and belief groups that, through social action or community engagement, have had a positive impact on Barnet and improved the lives of its residents and communities.

In making his acceptance speech, Paperweight Chairman Benjamin Conway acknowledged the incredible work of the charity’s caseworkers, who had made the award possible: “We can only undertake this life-changing work through our 150 dedicated London caseworkers. During the past year, over 400 clients were lost and floundering in their benefits applications; more than 50 were mired in Family Law court proceedings; 30 needed to attend Benefits Appeals and 25 with restricted mobility needed our guidance to apply for a Blue Badge. We care for the soon-to-be homeless and the street-sleepers in the community – 85 including 5 already living in their car. And many others with nowhere else to turn. This is what Paperweight’s efforts do to our clients’ lives: It transforms them.”

2022 is proving to be a tremendously exciting one for the 11-year old Paperweight charity as it also welcomes Lady Elaine Sacks as a Patron. 

For further information, contact Communications Manager Michelle Rosenberg at michellerosenberg@paperweight.org.uk

https://faithbeliefforum.org/event/barnet-faith-belief-awards/

About Paperweight:

Paperweight has the ability to reach out to clients during the most desperate times of their lives. It is what the organisation is passionate about: guiding, understanding, offering a helping hand and reassuring the Jewish community that they are never alone. 

Visit their website – www.paperweight.org.uk. Contact can also be made via email info@paperweight.org.uk or on their Emergency Helpline – 0330 174 4300