Hand In Hand started as a grassroots movement in 2015. Our founder Eliezer Gilbert began visiting patients in the Royal Free every week on Shabbos, and soon other young people asked if they could join him. As the desire to engage in these acts of chesed spread further amongst Eliezer’s peers, the operation that was then known as ‘Shabbat Walk’ quickly expanded to include other hospitals across London, care homes and other locations. From these humble beginnings, the concept of Hand in Hand was born: empowering teenagers to use their spare time constructively by supporting those in genuine need.
Avi Dubiner, a volunteer who was just 15 at the time that Hand in Hand began, was instrumental in the organisation’s growth. He encouraged over 200 young volunteers from his school and the wider community to get involved in regular volunteering. This enabled Hand in Hand to expand its services - helping families in need throughout the week as well as on Shabbat. Hand in Hand soon recruited more volunteer coordinators to support the sharp increase in volunteering activity.
By 2020 there were 17 teenage volunteer coordinators managing and promoting Hand in Hand’s activities. It was becoming increasingly clear that with so many volunteers and families involved, it was incumbent on the organisation to create a safer and more efficient volunteering environment. So in 2021 we hired salaried volunteer coordinators and family liaison officers to provide increased monitoring and safeguarding of both our volunteers and beneficiaries. Hand in Hand also introduced weekly chaburahs for volunteers to learn about the Torah values and concepts surrounding the topic of chesed, giving them an increased appreciation of its importance both in terms of their own personal development and for the beneficiaries of their activities.
"The volunteers are amazing. The girls are such good role models for my daughter and someone for her to talk to (especially since she is my only girl). They are great at doing homework with the kids too".
Mum of children with additional needs