“People we support love this work,” said Aviva Braunold, organiser of this year’s Rosh Hashanah packing project. 

The sense of purpose, self esteem at having a job and the pay is only the tip of the iceberg, explains Aviva, Kisharon’s Learning and Development Lead. “With participants coming from all over Kisharon, most of those who took part met new people. Others with low expectations of what they could do, surprised themselves by what they actually achieved.”

Top Pini and below from left, Ora, Srulik and Moishe

Kisharon’s packing team chose their own jobs, which included preparatory work, weighing, packing, sealing, labelling and sweeping up. All learned about hygiene and food safety. Work was available every day, all day, from June throughout the summer for those who wanted it, and the team are still continuing to replenish stock that has run out.

Those working learned additional skills. Aviva and Andrew Plaskow, Manager of Kisharon’s Gift and Homeware Store, Equal, needed to be emailed with stock updates and there were phone calls to be made when queries arose. 

Packers, some with their support workers, used easy read time sheets to work out their hourly pay. 

In all, 300 bags of dried apple were packed, 120 bags each of chocolate covered cranberries, and chocolate covered almonds. There were 70 bags of chocolate covered cashews, 77 bags of caramelised cashew nuts with honey, 66 bags of caramelised peanuts with honey and chilli seasoning and 70 bags of caramelised almonds with honey. 

Kisharon people also bagged up sets of honey jars and honey dippers for guests at a Rosh Hashanah bar mitzvah and these are available too at the shop and selling fast.

Aviva said: “We had people from supported living and day opportunities, many more than in previous years, and they all did a great job.”

Dried apple rings are £3 a bag, chocolate-covered cranberries and assorted nuts £4.

Kisharon’s Gift and Homeware Store, Equal is at 818 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune. Tel: 0208 457 5000. Shop online at equalbykisharon.org.uk