The Paperweight Trust

The Paperweight Trust The Paperweight Trust was launched in 2010 to provide practical guidance & support to those in crisis www.paperweight.org.uk

The everyday burden of dealing with the practicalities of your household paperwork and bureaucracy can become intolerable in a time of crisis. When you are feeling isolated, stressed and vulnerable, and you just can’t cope, the simplest of administrative tasks feel insurmountable and the daily practicalities take a back seat; often leading to unwelcome, additional pressure and intrusion in what ca

n feel a bureaucratic and impersonal world. The Paperweight Trust was launched in 2010 to provide practical guidance and support to those in crisis in the Jewish Community. The service we offer is cross-communal across London and Manchester. Our clients range in age from their 20s to their 90s and all have found themselves in circumstances beyond their control and unable to cope with life’s daily ups and downs, particularly where organising their domestic affairs is concerned. Paperweight offers time, guidance, confidentiality, experience and a good deal of common sense. We will steer our clients towards independence and give them the confidence to carry on with their lives. We will also endeavour to teach them how to avoid these pitfalls in the future and how to navigate their way through the bureaucratic maze.

Paperweight Executive Director Barry Shaw visited our Leeds office last Thursday for a packed day of meetings with our t...
16/08/2026

Paperweight Executive Director Barry Shaw visited our Leeds office last Thursday for a packed day of meetings with our team and community partners. Barry met with Leeds Co-ordinator Suzanne Benjamin, who will shortly be joined by Sofie Hirschstein, as we continue to strengthen Paperweight’s presence and support in Leeds.

He also met with eight of our dedicated Leeds caseworkers to discuss the escalating demand for Paperweight’s services, driven in part by the continuing cost-of-living crisis, as well as hearing their experiences and updating them on our latest projects and initiatives.

Later in the day, Barry met Karen Waldman, Sheltered Housing Manager at our partner, Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA); Raina Sheaf, CEO of The Zone, which does vital work supporting and empowering young people; and local Rabbis Alby Chait, Mendy Sufrin and Ahron Kramer.

Reflecting on the visit, Barry said: “It was wonderful to see first-hand the fantastic work Suzanne is doing in Leeds, and we are excited to welcome Sofie to the team. Meeting our caseworkers and hearing about their work was genuinely inspiring. Their commitment to supporting people through some of the most difficult periods of their lives is what Paperweight is all about. I was also hugely impressed by the LJHA campus and Jewish community centre. The way different organisations and services come together in one place to support the community is a model from which other communities could learn a great deal.”

We were delighted to welcome local MP Christian Wakeford to Paperweight’s Manchester office on Wednesday, following its ...
14/08/2026

We were delighted to welcome local MP Christian Wakeford to Paperweight’s Manchester office on Wednesday, following its opening earlier this year.

Christian was joined by Councillor Debbie Quinn and welcomed by Paperweight Executive Director Barry Shaw, visiting from our London office, Regional Director Hannah Gerson and Caseworker Leah Ralph.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Paperweight’s growing work across Greater Manchester and to discuss the increasing pressures facing individuals and families in the community — and how our caseworkers provide practical, hands-on support when life becomes overwhelming.

During his visit to Manchester, Barry also met with local Councillor Richard Gold, Mark Levy of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, and members of Paperweight’s local casework team.
Reflecting on the visit, Barry said: “It was fantastic to visit our new Manchester office and see first-hand the wonderful work Hannah and her team are doing. They are creating a vibrant Paperweight hub in Manchester, strengthening our presence in the community and enabling us to be there for more people when they need us most.”

Thank you to Christian, Debbie, Richard and Mark for taking the time to engage with Paperweight and our work in Manchester.

Christian Wakeford MP

🌟 Welcome to NextGen, Issy! 🌟We are delighted to welcome Issy, our new NextGen Student Coordinator.NextGen is about youn...
14/08/2026

🌟 Welcome to NextGen, Issy! 🌟

We are delighted to welcome Issy, our new NextGen Student Coordinator.

NextGen is about young people getting involved in their community, supporting others while building their own confidence, experience and practical life skills along the way.

Issy will be working with students and young adults, building connections and helping us grow NextGen and the opportunities for younger people to get involved.

We are really excited to have Issy on board and to see NextGen continue to grow.

Welcome to Paperweight, Issy 💙

Timms Review – PIP workshops The Timms Review is holding a series of workshops this autumn to hear directly from disable...
13/08/2026

Timms Review – PIP workshops

The Timms Review is holding a series of workshops this autumn to hear directly from disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, helping to shape its recommendations on PIP.

There will be 15 workshops, both online and in person across the UK, between 15 September and 7 October 2026.

No previous experience of taking part in a government review is needed.

Registration is now open and participants will be selected from those who register. If you are interested in taking part and sharing your experiences, it may be worth registering as soon as possible. Registration closes on Friday 21st August at 5pm.

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Bayla Perrin, CEO of Paperweight, the charity that helps more than 2,000 people and families each year navigate welfare,...
31/07/2026

Bayla Perrin, CEO of Paperweight, the charity that helps more than 2,000 people and families each year navigate welfare, debt and financial hardship, said:
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to reform social care. For too long, vulnerable people and their families have been left trying to cope with a system that is confusing and too difficult to navigate.
Every day we support exhausted carers, older people who want to remain independent and families who simply do not know where to turn. Reform is long overdue, but it must be matched by practical support that helps people access the care and financial help they are entitled to.
No one should have to face illness, disability or caring responsibilities while battling a system they cannot navigate. Too often, people come to us overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. We help them access the support they need so they are not left to face these challenges alone.”
During 2025, Paperweight’s staff and caseworkers provided more than 50,000 hours of free professional support to 2,170 people and families. That support had an estimated value of £10 million and helped people remain independent, reduce financial hardship and access the help they were entitled to.

Think you're the only one who doesn't 'get' online banking? You're certainly not.Many people worry they'll press the wro...
28/07/2026

Think you're the only one who doesn't 'get' online banking? You're certainly not.

Many people worry they'll press the wrong button, lose money or make a mistake they can't undo. That's exactly why Tap into Tech is here.

Our friendly Basic Guide to Online Banking session will help you build confidence in a relaxed, supportive environment. Whether you're completely new to online banking or simply want to feel more comfortable using it, we'll show you how to:

• Bank safely and securely
• Make online payments with confidence

Join our free session with Steve Newton
📅 Wednesday 5 August
🕙 10:00–11:00am

Attend in person (North West London) or online via Zoom – simply choose the option that suits you when you register.

Come along yourself or share this with someone else in the community who could benefit from a little extra confidence when banking online.

No jargon. No judgement. No question too small to ask.

Book your free place today:
paperweight.org.uk/banking-guide

An anchor is designed to hold firm. But when life feels overwhelming, it can sometimes feel like an anchor is holding yo...
24/07/2026

An anchor is designed to hold firm. But when life feels overwhelming, it can sometimes feel like an anchor is holding you down.

On Samaritans Awareness Day we're reminded of the importance of talking, listening and sharing the weight we're carrying.

At Paperweight, we see every day how debt, bereavement, benefits, paperwork and life admin can become an emotional burden as much as a practical one.

Sometimes the greatest relief comes not from having all the answers, but from no longer carrying everything alone.

If life feels heavy, don't stay anchored by your worries. Reach out. Talk to someone you trust. And if practical challenges are adding to that weight, Paperweight is here to help lighten the load.

Because sharing the weight is often the first step towards lifting it.

You don't have to carry it alone.

From brokenness comes rebuilding...On Tisha B'Av, we pause to remember loss, reflect on resilience and hold onto hope fo...
22/07/2026

From brokenness comes rebuilding...

On Tisha B'Av, we pause to remember loss, reflect on resilience and hold onto hope for renewal.

At Paperweight, we meet people whose worlds can feel as though they've fallen apart through bereavement, debt, illness or overwhelming life circumstances. While we cannot change what has happened, we can help people take the first steps towards rebuilding.

May this day of reflection remind us of the strength found in compassion, community and standing alongside those who need us most.

Wishing all those observing a meaningful and easy fast.

Over the coming months, the UK’s landline system is being phased out, to be replaced by digital services. But for some o...
22/07/2026

Over the coming months, the UK’s landline system is being phased out, to be replaced by digital services. But for some older people, this isn't simply a technology upgrade.

Landlines are often connected to personal alarms, telecare systems and emergency support services that help people remain safe and independent at home.

It’s key that everyone receives clear information about what the switch means for them.

In our latest blog, we explore why the Digital Switchover matters, what families should be checking now, and how a little preparation can help avoid bigger problems later.

Read more here: https://paperweight.org.uk/a-quiet-change-that-could-have-big-consequences/

If you support an older relative, friend or neighbour, this is a change worth understanding.

It's International Chess Day and it prompts the thought that for many people who come to Paperweight, every move they ma...
20/07/2026

It's International Chess Day and it prompts the thought that for many people who come to Paperweight, every move they make feels like it carries enormous consequences.

Should I pay this bill or that one?
Do I complete this form first or make that phone call?
Can I afford to challenge that decision?
What happens if I get it wrong?

When you're juggling debt, benefits, paperwork, housing concerns, bereavement or caring responsibilities, you're not just making one move. You're trying to think five moves ahead, often for everyone else in your family before yourself.
That constant mental load is exhausting.

The good news is you don't have to work it all out alone.

At Paperweight, we help people in the community step back from the board, understand their options and make the next move with confidence. Because when life feels overwhelming, having someone beside you can make all the difference.

You don't have to have all the answers. You just have to make the first move.
Call the Paperweight helpline today on 0330 174 4300

Address

119-121 Brent Street
London
NW42DX

Telephone

+443301744300

Website

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