Eric Pickles enjoyed his “first dance in a long time” at a Jewish care centre in Stamford Hill.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government joined Cllr Linda Kelly to tour the Brenner Community Centre to meet members for a tea and a boogie.
The centre is used by the growing orthodox Charedi community as well as being the based for Jewish Care’s homecare services, a day centre for elderly people, a specialist dementia day care centre and a mental health centre.
He said: “I am having a great time I have seen a range of activities for people in need and have had a dance – the first time I have had a dance for a long time,” he said.
“This is an amazing centre, it goes from early morning till late at night, taking care of people from the very young to the not so young.
“Jewish Care is a well organised very worthwhile deeply caring organisation that offers help to people in enormous need and also retains its human side”
Cllr Linda Kelly who arranged the visit because of her admiration for Jewish Care’s work said: “I felt this was something the Secretary of State needed to witness for himself, when the invitation was given he accepted without hesitation.
It was a wonderful event and a great opportunity to see him interacting with members and staff. I have no doubt that he left feeling elated and enthused by what he saw”.
Following Eric Pickles appointment in 2010, Jewish Care worked alongside other community organisations through the Jewish Leadership Council to prepare a paper about the UK Jewish Community’s input into building the big society.
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