Almost a quarter of community members believe they or a relative will need access to Norwood’s services within the next three years, according to a new survey.
Eighty-seven per cent of respondents to the Survation study also considered Norwood’s provision vital to the Jewish community with just 10 per cent wishing to access the type of services it offers outside of the Jewish sphere.
Seventy-six per cent associated Norwood with the day services it runs for children with disabilities, for which the charity receives no statutory funding.
Ninety-four per cent said they would want to access available support if a child within their family was to experience challenges that threatened their emotional and social well-being.
Ninety-three per cent believed Jewish charities were crucial to making appropriate social care available to community members.
Commenting on the findings of the survey of 673 Jewish adults, Norwood CEO Dr Beverly Jacobson said the reason for the charity’s longevity was that it “has always been ready to respond to the changing needs of our community and adapt its service provision to allow us to be there for those who need us the most.
“With society’s needs having changed profoundly over the past 18 months, the support has become even more integral.”
Assisting children and their families in challenging circumstances continues to be a focus of its work, as well as helping people of all ages with learning disabilities and autism.
It currently supports more than 2,500 people annually and needs to raise £12 million of its £32 million budget from the community. To this end, the charity will be holding a 36-hour crowdfunder next month.