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An Evening of Music
12 April 2021
Unlocking the Soul during Lockdown
Neshomo together with our partner JAMH held an inspirational evening via Zoom with Rabbi Danny Bergson. Participants really enjoyed the event, with feedback stating:
"Thank you so much, Neshomo, for organising such a fantastic, amazing evening! It really lifted my spirits up. I particularly enjoyed listening to all the 'Golden Oldies' and singing along! I would love another musical evening."
"I truly enjoyed this Neshomo event. It was very inspirational as he gave intros to each song and being able to request a song was great as I got to have my favourites played. It was very relaxing after a stressful day."
Pesach Preparation Sessions
8 & 15 March 2021
Preparing for Pesach Together
Neshomo ran 2 sessions aimed at reducing stress and anxiety leading up to Pesach, with Time Management Coach Mrs H Breuer. The first session focusing on writing down tasks in to do lists in an organised fashion to ensure there were no last minute shocks of having forgotten things. The second session was centred around visually picturing how attendees would like to go into Pesach, and putting a plan into place for how to achieve that. A discussion was had about how to be okay with things that we'd have liked to do but didn't manage to get around to and how to differentiate between essentials and extras. Attendees found the provided handouts very useful, in particular the meal planners which helped reduce anxiety around food planning.
Zoom Yoga
11 March 2021
Accessible Yoga for every body
Neshomo together with JAMH ran Yoga sessions on zoom, with Yoga teacher Miriam Zendle. The sessions were very popular and were attended by ladies of a range of ages in the community. Yoga can aid relaxation and help manage stress and anxiety, which for many has increased during Covid-19.
Neshomo expands Covid-19 Support
28 January 2021
We are all in this together!
Neshomo has broadened support during Covid-19 in response to the community's need. Neshomo now offers well being resources, mentoring, advice, referrals and befriending to all community members affected by Covid-19. Neshomo are currently developing new resources including a library of well-being and self-help books.
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat 2021
22 January - 23 January 2021
How Laughter can help us cope with Lockdown
To mark Mental Health Awareness Shabbat, Neshomo together with JAMH held a Laughter Workshop on Zoom chaired by David Mintz from Saturday Night Live with Sandi Mann, Clinical Lead of JAMH.
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat is an initiative by JAMI, a mental health charity based in London.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Shabbat click here.
Art Collaboration Social Project
29 Dec 2020 & 5 Jan 2021
Community Art Collaborative with Artist Chava Erlanger
Neshomo ran two Art collaborative sessions on Zoom for members of the community. Each participant created an art piece using materials provided, including paints, that were delivered to their door. The art pieces will be combined by Artist Chava Erlanger to create a masterpiece to be displayed in our community. The sessions were well attended with participants ranging in age from 10-80 years old and received very postive feedback. Neshomo loaned out tablets to participants who did not have access to their own device, for these sessions.
Zoom Middle Eastern Cook-Along
7 December 2020
Neshomo & JAMH host cook-along with Middle Eastern Chef Reuven Banay
Neshomo & JAMH hosted a cook-along, where participants were taught to make vegan mushrrom shawarma with salad, techina & pitta. This was a group event in which ingredients were prepared and delivered to participants beforehand and participants joined together via Zoom from their own kitchens. This event was part of Neshomo's drive to help reduce social isolation in these difficult times.
Neshomo Covid-19 support
November 2020
Neshomo support vulnerable adult members of the local Jewish Community
Neshomo has increased it's support provision during Covid-19 through their befriending service, social activities over Zoom & teleconference including Mindfulness sessions together with Mind in Salford. Neshomo has also continued to provide training to other professional services on topics such as Mental health and the Jewish way of life.
In the Kitchen with Debra
17 November 2020
Neshomo & JAMH host cook-along with Debra
Neshomo & JAMH hosted a cook-along, where participants were taught to make minestrone soup & crackers. This was a group event in which ingredients were prepared and delivered to participants beforehand and participants joined together via Zoom from their own kitchens. This event was part of Neshomo's drive to help reduce social isolation in these difficult times.
Zoom Cook-Along
30 September 2020
Neshomo & JAMH host cook-along with chef Denise Phillips
Neshomo & JAMH hosted a cook-along, where participants were taught by the chef and author Denise Phillips to bake a fig & date honey clafoutis. This was a group event in which ingredients were prepared and delivered to participants beforehand and participants joined together via Zoom from their own kitchens. This event was part of Neshomo's drive to help reduce social isolation in these difficult times.
Rosh Hashana PPE packages
September 2020
Wishing our members a Happy & Healthy New Year
Neshomo thanked their wonderful team of volunteer befrienders with a package filled with items for a sweet new year as well as new guidance on returning to face to face contact with clients, with PPE provided.
Neshomo-JAMH Covid community support
September 2020
Neshomo & JAMH work together to offer mental health support
Neshomo and Jewish Action for Mental Health (JAMH) have been working together to provide mental health services to those in the community affected by covid-19, including offering befriending, mentoring, counselling and therapy and social prescribing sessions via Zoom or telephone. Neshomo are very grateful to the donors who have helped to fund these important services.
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New Female Outreach Worker
August 2020
Neshomo welcomes new Female Outreach Worker Racheli Bass
Neshomo are sad to say goodbye to Tamar Tabor who has helped develop Neshomo as Manager and Female Outreach Worker for the last 2 years. We thank Tamar for all her incredible work and wish her mazel tov on the birth of her daughter and the best of luck in all her endeavours.
We are very pleased to welcome Racheli Bass to the team and know her skills and experience in Mental Health will be a great asset to Neshomo. For more information about Neshomo's team and credentials click here.
'Post coronavirus' Mental Health impact
June 2020
Rabbi's Journal by Rabbi Yitzchok Reuven Rubin
Rabbi Rubin's article featured in the Jewish Tribune highlights the emotional impact of coronavirus such as stress, loneliness and grieving the loss of loved ones and how psychological pain is often supressed, particularly with men. Rabbi Rubin stresses the importance of reflecting on these past few months, talking and offloading to heal our emotional pain. Neshomo was named for "standing out with their professional support system for volunteers who are working with those with acute mental health needs". Neshomo is here to support the community during this very challenging and stress inducing time through our Covid-19 telephone befriending service. Click here for more information.
'At Home Together' Herb Garden Social Project
June 2020
'Grow Your Own Herbs' Kit
For Neshomo's latest 'At Home Together' project, Neshomo delivered 'Grow Your Own Herbs' kits to their members front door. It was supplemented with a group telephone conference session on the topic of gardening that was enjoyed by all who attended. Evidence shows the benefits of horticulture in helping people with their mental wellbeing. Many thanks to Neshomo's trustees Clive Moss-Barclay and Elaine Marshall who put together these kits and delivered the telephone conference session.
Celebrating National Volunteers Week
June 2020
Thanking all our wonderful volunteers
In aid of National Volunteers Week, Neshomo sent out handcrafted cards made by our very talented female outreach worker Shulamit Chesner, to thank all our volunteers for the amazing work they do for Neshomo. We are also investing in helping develop the skills of our Volunteer Befriends by providing training and ongoing support. Click here for more information on Training Events for Befrienders.
New COVID-19 Telephone Befriending Service
May 2020
Telephone Befriending Service and Volunteer Recruitment Drive
Following a successful recruitment drive for volunteer befrienders, Neshomo has set up a new telephone befriending service during Covid-19 for people who are more isolated and experiencing increased anxiety during this time. If you would benefit from this service please CONTACT US
'At Home Together' Craft Social Project
April 2020
Teleconference Clay Workshop by Chava Erlanger
Neshomo delivered packs of crafting clay to our members in preparation for a group telephone conference talk, where the artist Chava Erlanger gave some ideas on how to use the clay. After that, members had a go with making their own creations at home. This was then followed up by a second teleconference talk to round off the project. Here are some samples of creations that were made.
"I had a really enjoyable afternoon experimenting with the clay art. Many thanks for organising it!"
"Thank you had a great time with it"
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Shabbat
31 January - 1 February 2020
Raising Awareness of Mental Health in the Manchester Jewish Community
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Shabbat, Neshomo's Male Outreacher Worker Daniel Nissen spoke at Shrubberies after Friday night davening to the community on the topic of Depression, raising awareness and challenging stigma.
On Shabbat day, Neshomo together with JAMH and Pathways hosted a panel Q&A after davening at the Shrubberies. Daniel Nissen spoke on the topic of Stress- How to manage better and feel less anxious: Understanding and recognising triggers and providing strategies for dealing with stress. The event was well attended and an engaging discussion was held.
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat is an initiative by JAMI, a mental health charity based in London.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Shabbat click here.
Manchester Jewish Community Awards
3 December 2019
Neshomo recognised for volunteer work in the community
Neshomo was invited to attend the Manchester Jewish Community Awards, in conjunction with The Jewish Volunteer Network , the Jewish Representative Council and the Jewish Telegraph, hosted by Angela Epstein, at the Hilton Suite, Prestwich.
Neshomo was privileged to have been shortlisted in the categories of Volunteer Team of the Year and Special Recognition and was praised for the support our team of volunteers provide for people with mental health difficulties in the Manchester Jewish community. Neshomo congratulates all the wonderful Manchester organisations and volunteers that were recognised for the work they do for the community.
Salford Stories Showcase
9 September 2019
Salford CVS Salford Stories: Celebrating the impact of the Third Sector Fund Showcase
Neshomo was privileged to be one of 10 organisations in Salford invited to the recent Salford CVS Salford Stories showcase celebrating the impact of the third sector fund, at the Lowry Theatre.
As a recent recipient of a grant from the Third Sector Fund, we were able to showcase the impact that Neshomo's Befriending Project has had on the health and wellbeing of the local Jewish community.
