On Monday, 12th October, Paperweight hosted a Rosh Chodesh breakfast at our Manchester office, welcoming Rebbetzens from across the community.
The morning was an opportunity to share more about Paperweight and how we support members of the Jewish community through life’s practical challenges. Welfare concerns often come to the attention of Rebbetzens first, but the issues people face can extend beyond the support a shul’s welfare team is able to provide. Paperweight offers guidance and practical support across a wide range of areas, helping people navigate challenges they may not know where to turn.
We also had an important discussion about the challenges of identifying when someone needs help. Often, when we sense that someone is struggling, our natural instinct is to want to find a solution. If we do not know how to help, we may hesitate to ask what else is going on in their lives, for fear of uncovering a problem we cannot solve. By strengthening our relationships with Rebbetzens and raising awareness of the support Paperweight offers, we hope to change this. We want them to feel confident asking, “Is anything else wrong?”, knowing that even if an issue falls outside their remit, Paperweight may be able to provide the practical guidance and support that person needs.
Confidentiality, dignity and professionalism were also key topics of discussion. Our Manchester office benefits from a prominent location on Kings Road, making us accessible to the community. However, we recognise that for someone seeking support with sensitive personal or financial issues, being seen entering Paperweight could feel uncomfortable. We therefore discussed the importance of our discreet entrance and how we have designed the office to provide a private, welcoming and professional environment. We want to ensure that concerns about being seen accessing support never become a barrier to getting help.
It was a valuable opportunity to share experiences, hear about the challenges facing different communities and explore how we can work together to ensure people receive the support they need.