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Home > News > Archive 2007 > October > Connect@kenton celebrates its first birthday

Date:  8 October 2007

Strictly kosher ballroom: members celebrate with a lunch dance and party.

Members of Jewish Care’s connect@kenton day service celebrated its first birthday in style with a lunch dance and party on October 8. The service, which runs from Kenton United Synagogue in Shaftesbury Avenue every Monday, attracts a regular following of clients, who enjoy activities such as talks, arts and crafts, cards and gentle exercise, as well as a three-course hot lunch.

The synagogue hall was decorated with balloons and flowers for the occasion. Wembley resident Eve Lewis has been attending connect@kenton since it began. “It’s very nice. All the staff and volunteers are wonderful and you get a very nice meal,” she said. “I do the exercises – they are most suitable for what we can do. The speakers we have are all very interesting too,” she added.

Olga Benton, who lives in Kenton, has also been coming along to the weekly activities since Jewish Care set up the service. “We get together and we talk. I have a few friends here. I play cards and I join in the exercising – but sitting down! I like having manicures as well,” she said.

Volunteer Norman Garber, a member of Kenton Synagogue, regularly leads the popular current affairs discussions and quizzes. “I love it,” he said. “It is giving something back to other people and trying to make a difference to them.” Angela Wilton has only been volunteering for Jewish Care for a year, but is enjoying it immensely. “You make new friends and it gives you a nice feeling inside,” she explained.

Speaking on the first birthday celebration, Graham Freeman, manager of the connect@ centres, said: “I think it is a fantastic achievement, both for Jewish Care and also all the members, volunteers and staff, that things have gone so successfully over the last year. On a weekly basis we have a wonderful group of members who enjoy the activities that go on and have a lovely lunch here in a very sociable environment. Today has been a fantastic party to really mark the occasion properly.”
He added: “On 10 December we will be having a dance to celebrate Chanukah. We are always looking for new members from anywhere in the community. We’re open every Monday from 10am to 3pm, with a range of activities as well as lunch. Anyone who wishes to come should contact me on 020-8457 7032 or Denise 020-8457 7030.”