One of the most remarkable aspects of our community is the wealth of support available when we need it most. Whether this is for illness or disability, addressing specific Jewish needs, or where it complements limited public services, exceeding low service level expectations with heightened support, professionalism and expertise.

Such is the case with Paperweight. Our charity provides free guidance, advice and resolution to those in our community facing life’s toughest challenges. And yet, despite becoming an indispensable lifeline, helping over 20,000 people to date and engaging more than 200 volunteers, Paperweight is perhaps one of our community’s best-kept secrets.

Yet, when I reflect on why we started Paperweight, one thing stands out: the joy of seeing lives transformed. We’ve witnessed countless successful outcomes, enabling individuals and families to reclaim their stability, dignity and hope.

How often have we heard said, “I am sick with worry”? At Paperweight, it’s not just a figure of speech, it’s the cry for help we hear daily. Whether it’s financial turmoil, legal challenges, or personal crises, our team steps in with the right expertise to resolve these issues and lift the burden.

The Jewish community is not immune to the economic and legal fallout that life’s challenges bring. But these topics are often cloaked in silence. Now, as we approach our barmitzvah year, it’s time to break that silence.

From homelessness to debt, the struggles we address are not fringe issues. They’re affecting large swathes of our community. And while illnesses, both physical and mental, rightly receive great public empathy, some of these can also stem from underlying financial or legal problems. By addressing these root causes, Paperweight is not just providing support but actively preventing further hardship.

Take, for example, benefits. For many in our community, navigating the bureaucracy of applications feels overwhelming. Couple that with the stigma of discussing financial struggles and the result is a crushing sense of isolation. Similarly, debt - a shadow growing ever larger in today’s economic climate. It can be so paralysing for many, not knowing which way to turn, to find a way out. But at Paperweight, we tackle these issues head-on.

Our experienced caseworkers don’t just address the immediate problem. They dig deeper, uncovering root causes and prioritising solutions to rebuild lives from the ground up. This holistic approach means we’re not just resolving crises, we’re creating stronger, more sustainable foundations for their future.

Right now, we are seeing record numbers of calls to our national helpline. Every day, we receive an average of 8 to15 new clients - a number that continues to rise. Each call represents someone taking a first step toward finding help and we are here to meet them with expertise, compassion and to speak up for them when they are simply too overwhelmed to do so.

Paperweight’s proven model has changed countless lives. But we want everyone in our community to know we’re here, offering free support to guide and advocate for them through life’s toughest times. Our vision is for every member of our community to speak with pride about Paperweight as a trusted resource helping turn crises into comebacks.

Of course, providing a free service is not free to run. That’s why, on January 26th, we’re launching our matched fundraising campaign. Every donation will be doubled, ensuring we can continue this vital work.

For more information: info@paperweight.org.uk

Paperweight National Helpline: 0330 174 4300

www.paperweight.org.uk