Jersey charities ask future politicians 'to be brave' and guarantee more sustainable funding

The Association of Jersey Charities is asking the island's next set of politicians to introduce a formal commissioning model for charity grants, which would provide stable, multi-year funding.

Charities in the Bailiwick are currently given variable one-off grants, which typically last for a year at a time.

This means they cannot plan ahead - given the unpredictable and variable levels of government funding they receive.

The Association is also asking candidates standing in the upcoming June election to pledge to recognise charities as strategic partners in policymaking and service delivery.

Robert Surcouf, the Association's chair, explains: "Currently, certain charities go through a procurement where they are providing services that are vital to the island, and they tend to be very cost-effective, trusted providers - and the government provides funding.

"But they're only providing the funding as a one-year basis and the charity has to reapply every year, the government has to reassess it.

"We think it would be far better if that was a multi-year position - obviously there's KPIs [Key Performance Indicators] and the charities are used to providing that information - but it would give them more certainty to be able to plan."

He says it is not all charities that are asking for more, only those providing key services on behalf of the States such as healthcare services and homelessness support.

Brighter Futures is one of those charities: providing early support for struggling families through childcare groups, personal development programmes, and one-to-one targeted counselling.

They receive referrals from government agencies - such as health visitors, social workers, and the children's service - and support a wide number of state bodies.

However, Fiona Brennan, the charity's CEO, says that forecasting the charity's future at present is impossible.

She explains: "Without sustainable funding, we can't plan or grow, and it means we're very restricted in what we can offer.

"What we need now, is we need our politicians to be brave.

"Brighter Futures would have folded many years ago if we didn't have a wide number of private and corporate donors on the island, because government funding has been so little.

"However, if they could give us a commissioning model for three years, and a reasonable amount of financial support, we can continue to grow our services and offer social and economic value to Jersey for years to come.

Ciara O'Keeffe turned to Brighter Futures for support after becoming a parent, and believes the charity's services are "essential" in Jersey.

She says: "I had quite a traumatic birth with my first son, and Brighter Futures put me in touch with another agency who helped me fully understand and process what had happened.

"They've changed my life by helping me have access to that service, and I now have a very strong relationship with my son.

"Brighter Futures should definitely be recognised as an essential public service - they're amazing and need to be recognised for what they do."

In March, the island's Community Foundation found that charities providing healthcare services alone delivered around £6.2 million in net savings for the Government in 2024, and added an estimated £137.4 million in economic and social value.

Fiona believes this establishes a financial case, as well as a moral one, for introducing a sustainable funding model.

She adds: "Surely, common sense says that if you invest in these charities now, in the long term you will be able to save the hard-earned money of the people of Jersey.

"The most we've ever had is 30% of our funding - this year we have 8.7% from the Government, and it will cost us over £1 million to offer our services for families in Jersey for free.

"For us to continue to offer the services, if we didn't get government support, would be next to impossible."

The Association of Jersey Charities is also asking election candidates to pledge they will consult the third sector in the early stage of forming policies which affect the communities they serve, ensure fair commissioning and procurement processes, and invest in the long-term strength and sustainability of Jersey's charitable sector.

The Government have not responded to approaches from ITV News about the progress they have made on this matter so far.

Did you spot Brighter Futures on the ITV News last night?
https://youtu.be/BTRiM90b7Ek
Please watch this interview and see why it's important to get future politicians 'to be brave' and guarantee more sustainable funding to Brighter Futures.