Making my Bar Mitzvah meaningful

Over the past six months, I have been taking part in an inspirational programme called Project ImpACT. I started doing this as part of the preparation for my Bar Mitzvah, which takes place later this month. Project ImpACT was created to inspire and encourage young people to help others who are less fortunate and through the work of its volunteers supports both Jewish and non Jewish charities. As part of Project ImpACT, I have been taking part in a different activity every week that allows me to help others. I visited a home for old people where I played my guitar and talked to residents. I packed yellow candles and made mishloach manot. In normal times there would be a lot more community based activities, but due to the current social distancing regulations, instead we baked for workers and volunteers working extra hard at Jewish care homes, wrote letters to those feeling lonely in lockdown and listened to motivational speeches. Volunteering for Project ImpACT has enabled me to meet and get to know elderly people, people with special needs and many people in different situations. It has given me first hand experience of helping people who are less fortunate and a greater understanding of how important it is to give back to the community.

Eden Harding, Project ImpACT Volunteer Year 8