Paperweight doesn’t let the grass grow under its feet, well unless it’s grass roots organisations, that is!

Having helped 20,000 clients over its 13 years, primarily from London, Manchester and Gateshead, Paperweight’s now busy expanding to set up branches in a host of small regional Jewish communities dotted around the country.

Setting up new branches is a complex business, but with some thorough research and practical experience gained, we’ve developed a good approach to the new regions which will yield optimum results for those people needing help.

It goes like this … we introduce ourselves to the existing Jewish welfare infrastructure already operating in that area such as charities; organisations; support groups; shuls etc. as its they who know, understand and live the nuances of their unique area, clientele and culture. We then have numerous discussions with them as to how Paperweight can best get involved to have the maximum impact,

Our objective is seeking to bridge and fill gaps in services and complement the already sterling work of the organisations on the ground.

Our journey around the remarkable UK regional Jewish scene has been full of the unexpected, including witnessing the determination of these small enclaves working to maintain their traditions, often against the odds, and keep their community flourishing into the future. We’ve also seen the dedication of countless individuals determined not to let their community dwindle and die.

Interestingly, the prevailing mythology is that many Jewish regional communities are indeed doomed to a slow but unavoidable decline as congregants age, children migrate en-masse to larger cities and new members fail to move in. This widely accepted cycle couldn’t be further from the truth we’ve uncovered, where regions are exciting hives of pioneering activity, creating countless programmes; projects and strategies to excite, rejuvenate and repopulate their individual communities.

I have thus learnt never to presume that just because an area or community is small in numbers that it’s small in aspirations, depth or innovation!

A report on the regions wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our newest branch in Leeds, which has now helped over 100 clients since March 2024, and the exciting launch we held in November 2024.

About 80 people gathered in Paperweight’s newly refurbished Leeds offices, to witness The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung formally, and so warmly, launch the branch, together with honoured guests Marcia Brown and Mandy Port, with an unveiling of a beautiful plaque.

A grateful word of thanks to all the warm and welcoming people we’ve met on our travels, with appreciation for their friendship, professionalism and wholehearted enthusiasm – Paperweight is excited for our future together in the regions!

Here’s a range of people’s kind comments:

“Learning about Paperweight, and knowing you can help some of our clients, felt as though all my prayers had been answered!”
The Zone Youth Centre, Leeds

“The folders are so professional, and we will definitely use them.”
United Hebrew Congregation, Leeds

“Thank you for coming to BRS yesterday. It was lovely to meet you and hear about Paperweight’s impressive work. There will certainly be times when your services could considerably help some of our members”
Bournemouth Reform Synagogue

“It was our pleasure to have you visit us in Leicester. None of us had any idea of the range of support the charity offers, truly inspiring and of great comfort to know there is help at the end of the phone”
Leicester Jewish Community Care

“Thank you for arranging to meet the other day. It was very interesting, and I am confident it will be especially beneficial for the Birmingham Jewish Community at large.”
Birmingham Jewish Housing Association

So, now to the all-important detail showing which city-organisations we’re in partnership with – in no other city-order than alphabetical! (They’re all fabulous).