Volunteering during lockdown

While most of my friends say they have been bored during lockdown, I’ve been busy with the many volunteering activities set up by Project ImpACT. My friends and I got involved at the beginning of lockdown by making cards for different people including ‘Get well soon’, ‘Thinking of you’, ‘Mazel Tov on your Bat/Bat Mitzvah’. Although I didn’t know the person I was writing to, it was gratifying to think that someone would read the letter and hopefully feel a little cheered up while they were going through a difficult time.

I also participated in ImpACT Zoom sessions such as ‘Supporting the NHS/Staying safe’. My mum who is a GP contributed as did a Social Prescriber. Toni demonstrated how to make some funky masks and we watched a video about how to make our own masks using a bandana and elastic bands. And of course Chef Fabienne’s virtual baking session when we all made 500 delicious brownies and sweet and savoury muffins, which were delivered by volunteers to NHS staff and carers. This was a highlight for many people and it was heartwarming to see pictures of NHS staff and carers holding up our brownies and muffins! 

We also enjoyed a special Fitness Challenge led by former IDF soldier Omer Levy and British Army Veteran Christopher Hayes which was inspiring. Omer shared his moving story of being a reserve Captain during Operation Protective Edge. We had the chance to take part in a fun virtual fitness challenge led by Christopher Hayes all to support Beit Halochem.

Project ImpACT also led a kindness campaign for the Pay it Forward Challenge. I decided to create some posters to hang on trees around the Hampstead Garden Suburb. My posters had inspiring quotes written by Maya Angelou and Anne Frank e.g. ‘How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world’. It was amazing to watch the many people taking their daily lockdown walk stop and look at these signs. Some are still up now, so keep a lookout!

As I became more involved with other Project ImpACT volunteering opportunities, I ran a virtual kids club to help keep children entertained. Together with my good friend Eliana Brodie we taught the children a dance and had fun getting them to show us their favourite dance moves.

Project ImpACT also helped kids and families through online tutoring via Zoom. It was a fantastic opportunity to support the children with their homework. Another small group of volunteers played online Bingo with residents at Norwood. We would call out the numbers and watch them cheer as they ticked it off on their bingo sheet. This has become an enjoyable regular event.

Project ImpACT has been an important part at keeping teens like me involved in something meaningful during lockdown. We have made good use of technology and I have met so many people. The Project ImpACT team Chayli and the staff have been wonderful and spent many hours putting the programmes together. They have helped me and others contribute in a small way to improving the lives of those around us during a difficult time and enabling us to make a difference.

By Emma Greenberg Project ImpACT Volunteer Year 11