Kisharon Langdon’s ‘power is its community’

The top civil servant working in adult social care has praised a Jewish charity for how it supports some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Michelle Dyson CB, who is the government’s director general of adult social care, has applauded charity Kisharon Langdon for enabling people with learning disabilities and autism to reach their potential.

Addressing over 800 guests at a central London dinner – the first since Kisharon and Langdon merged 18 months ago – Dyson shared how the charity supported her daughter, Rosi, by helping to find her four jobs - three voluntary and one paid.

Michelle Dyson CB (Photo: LinkedIn)[Missing Credit]

Rosi works in two schools, helping pupils with their reading, runs errands for a property company and works at the Kisharon Langdon headquarters. All of the work has come via the Jewish community.

Since leaving school, Rosi’s life “has really improved, and that is thanks to Kisharon Langdon”, said Dyson.

Dyson said that without being an active member of society, it would be “all too easy for people like Rosi to end up spending all day at home playing online games. Safe, yes, but depressed.”

She shared that the voluntary role at one of the schools had been so successful that the headteacher had said that she often had trouble deciding which child should read with Rosi as so many of them wanted to.

Acknowledging the additional strains on welfare charities, due to the increase in national insurance, announced in the 2024 Budget, Dyson said that “the power of community matters more than ever…In the end, people like Rosi want a place to call home, with the people and things we love, in communities where we look out for each other, doing the things that matter to us. This is the power of Kisharon Langdon.”

The government recently announced that it would be launching a commission into adult social care, which a number of charities – Jewish and non-Jewish – have criticised, saying that it failed to deal with urgent issues.

In its defence, Dyson said that the commission was “good news” for Kisharon Langdon as it would put people with disabilities “front and centre” of its work and that its chair Baroness Louise Casey was known as “one of the best doers and social reformers”.

[Missing Credit]People supported by Kisharon Langdon working at their inaugural dinner 2025 (Photo: Leivi Saltman)

The dinner, which raised £2.2 million, was a chance for the organisation to showcase how it supported its clients as some of them took on active roles, welcoming guests, helping with production and delivering toasts.

Throughout the evening, easy-read translations and Makaton signing of prayers and toasts were shared on the screen and on stage.

Previous Britain’s Got Talent winner magician Richard Jones, provided the entertainment, inviting Kisharon Langdon client Shammai Rotenberg on stage, where the pair of them proceeded to solve the Rubix cube puzzle behind their backs.

Shammai, who was also one of the toastmasters, said afterwards: “It was amazing being on stage and being a toastmaster for the Kisharon Langdon dinner. Being on stage with magician, Richard Jones, and being part of his act was very good and fun. I will always remember it!”

Kisharon Noe School pupil, Annaelle, deliving the toast to the King at the Kisharon Langdon inagural dinner 2025 (Photo Leivi Saltman)[Missing Credit]

Kisharon Langdon, which after its merger is now one of the largest Jewish charities in the UK, supports over 500 people and their families every day, with an annual turnover of more than £24 million. But increasing demands and a lack of government funding meant the charity was left relying on the community to fill the £4.5 shortfall, said chief executive Richard Franklin.

“Despite the chronic underfunding of social care, I truly believe we can deliver world-class services. Kisharon Langdon represents the very best of what our community values - compassion, generosity and excellence. But we need your help to sustain and grow this vital work.”

The funds raised at the dinner will enable the charity to continue delivering programmes for children and adults, including nurseries, schools, supported living flats, employment initiatives, and social enterprise schemes.

Kisharon Langdon Dinner Chair, Nicole Ronson Allalouf with (l-r) chief executive Richard Franklin and co-chairs Nick Doffman and Philip Goldberg (Photo: Leivi Saltman)[Missing Credit]

The dinner was chaired by Nicole Ronson Allalouf, who shared how she was personally impacted by the work of Kisharon Langdon.

She said: “Sometimes it feels like those who live with learning disabilities are the forgotten members of society. But Kisharon Langdon ensures no one is left to face these challenges alone. They are a family, treating everyone as equals and working tirelessly to help them thrive and reach their potential.”