The Sharon Rosen Big Brother and Big Sister Volunteer Programme is, as it sounds, a relationship for life between the supported child and their volunteer. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters are ‘ambassadors of fun’, who are there for the seriously ill children we support, as well as siblings, visiting the child regularly at home or in hospital.
Still young themselves, normally 18 – 25 years, our volunteers are specially trained to make a difference when it will really count. They bring treats and take children on Camp Simcha events. Most importantly, they will make sure that each child feels special. Children facing difficult treatments or their siblings – who are often the forgotten sufferer when a child is ill – can benefit greatly from knowing that their Big Brother or Big Sister will be there just for them.
If you would like to be a Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer, please email Yaffi.
Before I volunteered as a Big Brother, I imagined it to be quite a tough role, given what the families are going through. But mostly it is just uplifting because you are bringing happiness to families at such a dark time. Often when I am there I forget life is not normal at the moment for this family because we are all having such a great time together … if it feels like that for them too then I know I have made a difference. That’s what being a Big Sibling is about.
