We are delighted to share that Judith Hanson, Trusts and Grants Manager at Brighter Futures, has been nominated for a BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Award, recognising her contribution to fundraising and helping to secure the income needed to keep our services running.

Judith has been part of Brighter Futures since 2018 and, during that time, has helped to raise millions of pounds for the charity through trusts, grants, fundraising and developing relationships with supporters.

The nomination was recently featured by BBC Jersey, who visited Brighter Futures to find out more about the work that goes on behind the scenes to secure funding for the charity.

Brighter Futures costs more than £1 million each year to operate, supporting around 150 families each week through free programmes, activities and one-to-one support.

With Government funding contributing only a small proportion of our annual costs, the majority must be secured through fundraising, trusts and grants, corporate partnerships, events and the generosity of our community.

Speaking to the BBC, our Chief Executive, Fiona Brennan, highlighted just how important this work is to the charity.

She explained that grant applications require considerable research, evidence and data, with the work continuing long after funding has been awarded through monitoring, evaluation and detailed reporting.

Fiona described dedication as the word that best sums up Judith's contribution to Brighter Futures.

For Judith, however, the nomination is also recognition of the much bigger team effort behind everything Brighter Futures achieves.

Speaking to the BBC about her nomination, Judith said she had been shocked to be nominated and described herself as just one small part of everything that happens at Brighter Futures, adding that seeing the outcomes achieved by the families we work alongside is “phenomenal”.

The nomination is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work that often happens quietly behind the scenes – finding opportunities, completing applications, demonstrating impact and building relationships with the organisations and individuals who make our work possible.

Most importantly, every successful application and every pound raised enables Brighter Futures to continue working alongside parents, carers, children and young people in Jersey, helping to build stronger relationships, improve wellbeing and create brighter futures.

Thank you to BBC Jersey for visiting Brighter Futures and helping to shine a light on both Judith's nomination and the importance of fundraising to our charity.

You can read the full BBC feature and find out more about Judith's nomination here.