This year’s Volunteer Thank You in London was special for a number of reasons. After two years of holding the celebration online, it felt good to be able to meet again in person. The venue was Westminster Synagogue, and guests were invited to a tour of the Czech scrolls before the main event. One guest said, “The three of us were very interested in the talk and tour of the Czech scrolls – it’s so important they are being looked after and continue to be repaired.”
The evening was dedicated to the memory of our dear colleague, Head of Volunteer Services, Carol Hart MBE. The theme was poetry and an anthology of poems by members of AJR’s poetry group entitled Ask me again in November, was given to guests. In August 2021, Memory Loss Volunteer Co-ordinator Julia Baker proposed the idea of a book of poems to Carol. Knowing she herself was unwell, Carol replied, “It’s a lovely idea, but ask me again in November.” Carol tragically passed away in before discussing the book again.
Guest speaker Aviva Dautch recited some of her own poetry, and AJR members also had the opportunity to recite poems to the guests. As one of our poets, Joan Pollock mentioned, “It was a great evening in Rutland Gardens. Everything was absolutely perfect. The scrolls talk was fab; I feel a poem coming on!”
