Winners, the merger team, worked tirelessly to bring together two organisations with a different cultural and religious ethos and geographic footprints.

Left: Kisharon Langdon Trustees and members of the merger team: Nigel Henry, Philip Goldberg, Claire Lemer and Andrew Loftus. Right: Nicola Toyer, Head of Charities, Wealth and Investment UK at Investec, who presented the award.

During this massive four-year undertaking, the hours of volunteering taken up with meetings, emails, calls, research and fundraising far exceeded the time each had spent previously as Kisharon or Langdon trustees.

The team risked failure, as well as success. Accepting the Outstanding Volunteer Team of the Year award at the JVN  Celebration of Volunteering Awards 2023, Trustee Andrew Loftus said, “We firmly believe that together we will be a stronger organisation, able to provide a wider range of choices and services to the 450 people who now rely on us every day.  Hopefully over time, as our vision turns into reality, Kisharon Langdon will serve as a model for other organisations across the community to show the benefits of cooperation, collaboration and the pooling of resources for the greater benefit for all.”

Merger team members are: Philip Goldberg, Karen Phillips, Claire Lemer, Ben Miller, Nick Doffman, Andrew Loftus, Nigel Henry, Russell Tenzer and David Rasouly. Philip Goldberg and Nick Doffman are joint Co-Chairs of Kisharon Langdon.

Kisharon Langdon nominated other volunteers for JVN awards too. Melodie Isaacs, below left, was nominated for the title Volunteer of the Year. 

Melodie has worked as a reading tutor at Kisharon Noé School for more than two years and from the start of Covid befriended – and still continues to befriend – a supported living tenant.

At Kisharon Noé School, she uses creative ideas like reading car registration numbers in the school car park, car names and road signs to help pupils with phonics.

Headteacher Emily Haddock said: “Melodie has been integral to the establishment of a reading intervention programme, supporting young people with special educational needs to develop their understanding of phonics and identify pupils who require extra additional interventions to catch up with vital work which was missed during Covid.”

Janet Bloch, above, was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award. A longstanding trustee of various charities, and a volunteer since 1969, Janet brings a wealth of knowledge to Childs Hill Library and was one of the first volunteers when Kisharon took over in 2017. 

From organising events to mark other volunteers’ birthdays to helping volunteers with additional needs gently and sensitively, Janet is the type of volunteer we wish we could clone, says Childs Hill Library Manager Neha Dhakar. “Kind, community-minded and with a great sense of humour, Janet embodies the definition of a community champion.”

The Kisharon Langdon Young Adult Volunteer of the Year nominee was Adam Greensite, below. A diagnosis of autism, as well as personal challenges, have given Adam a unique understanding of members’ needs. He shows genuine dedication and enthusiasm in the music and drama sessions he leads. 

Adam began volunteering last year, beginning by supporting staff and volunteers but over time has begun to lead activities himself. Starting university has put a temporary halt to Adam’s volunteering but he is determined to be back.

Fitness guru Emma Mero, above, was nominated for the title Volunteer of the Year. Emma started volunteering at Langdon last year and early on her passion for exercise inspired Langdon members to lead healthier lives. From helping with Pilates, Emma now leads a weekly keep fit hour with walking, team games and meditation. Popular among members, Emma goes the extra mile by encouraging a member to contribute as a volunteer at the keep fit sessions too. 

Sessions are tailored to members’ favourite activities and they are all given support to get maximum benefit.

Would you like to volunteer at Kisharon Langdon? For more information, email  Andrea.alexander@kisharonlangdon.org.uk