Leeds Jewish Welfare Board has reversed plans to cut services at a time of increasing demand following a donation of around £1 million from the trustees of Donisthorpe Hall, the former local care home for the elderly.

Welfare board CEO Elizabeth Bradbury told the JC that the windfall had “come at a brilliant time for us”.

Calls on its services had risen during the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis had left more people seeking assistance.

LJWB currently helps 800 people monthly, with around 300 receiving “intensive support”.

Ms Bradbury said that annually the charity now assists more than half the city’s Jewish households.

The biggest growth in demand has been in the 30-60 age group with mental health issues and financial problems recurrent themes. Household pressures over the past few years have led to increased incidences of domestic violence and divorce.

Others turn to LJWB having encountered difficulty accessing statutory services.

The charity is helping those in financial difficulty through means such as food vouchers and the provision of warm spaces.

But it was facing the “perfect storm” of escalating costs and diminishing revenue, both statutory and from the community.

“We have to pay higher rates to get staff,” Ms Bradbury pointed out.

“And there’s been roughly a ten per cent drop in donations. Leeds has some amazing donors but we are fishing in a small pool.

“For the impact we have, statutory funding levels are really low.

“We were looking to restrict services and, for the first time, have a waiting list.”

But the donation from the Donisthorpe trustees had transformed the welfare board’s situation. “We can now reverse our plans. Our staff and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of our community.”

LJWB chair Russell Manning added that “in the light of the severe current challenges we are facing, this donation of community funds is very much appreciated.

“We will ensure the funds continue the legacy of providing social care to the Leeds Jewish community in line with our 144 years of service.”

Donisthorpe closed in 2021 in the wake of “very significant” financial difficulties, exacerbated by the pandemic. Registered for 190 beds, it was down to 40 residents, half of them non-Jews.

LJWB says it has been advised by the Donisthorpe trustees that the donation equates to half the charity’s remaining assets.