Rubens House
The 65-year-old former Whitehall civil servant has volunteered at the Finchley-based Jewish care home since 1993
Why Jewish Care?
A lovely lady who lived in my block of flats was a volunteer at Charles Clore House and she said “Why don’t you come along?” When Charles Clore closed in 2003 there were four of us — me, Ruth Martin, Henna Lewis and the late Frankie Mandelstam — and we decided that wherever we were going to volunteer next, we would go as a team.
What does your volunteering involve?
I come in weekly to give manicures to the residents and I have regular clients. I had a friend who was Revlon trained and she showed me what to do. I take off a resident’s old nail polish and file their nails and I have different colours for them to choose. The social care co-ordinator gives me the dates of outings and parties and I help on an ad-hoc basis. If we have a party, I will dance with those residents that can dance but I always talk to everyone. I will do whatever is needed.
What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?
It is the people, talking to the residents is the most important thing. They are very appreciative and some of them want to kiss my hand. Volunteers provide another contact with the outside world.
What is your most memorable volunteering moment?
Meeting Rod Stewart, who unexpectedly came to the 100th birthday of the late Jane Cohen – he was a friend of her son. He said: “Can I have a cuppa tea, love?” And I gave him some sandwiches, too.