The HUB and WIGWAM in partnership to support children with a disability and their families

The HUB, in partnership with WIGWAM, is excited to launch a new project, which will provide information, advice and support to children with a disability and their families.

The project is the first of its kind on Guernsey and will complement the existing services available for children with a disability.

It has been made possible through one year’s funding of £21,000 from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands. The Foundation is one of the largest sources of charitable funding in the islands, dispensing almost £1 million a year in the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. Its mission is to support and work in partnership with charitable organisations that help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or disabled, to play a fuller role in communities throughout the Channel Islands.

This is the second time this year that the Foundation has assisted The HUB. In July it made a £70,000 lifeline donation to pay for essential staff to work with teenagers over two years. The HUB and WIGWAM have been invited to apply for further funding for their joint project in a year’s time.

The HUB is now looking for a passionate, hard working and empathetic individual to create this project from launch and develop it into a service, which will have a huge impact on children and families in Guernsey.

Charlie Cox, Team Manager at The HUB said: “Barnardo’s is delighted to be expanding the HUB’s services again to offer support to children with a disability and their families. It is critical we reach all children on Guernsey who need our support and believe our partnership with WIGWAM will create a very special service.”

The person who is appointed will be responsible for delivering emotional and practical support to children with a disability and their families as well as overseeing the project as a whole.

Debbie Aldous from WIGWAM said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support from Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands for funding this post and allowing us to develop this new project which will make such a difference to local children and their families.”

There are four Lloyds Bank Foundations, which were formed in 1986, covering England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The Foundations are legally independent of the Lloyds Bank Group - but derive their funding entirely from the Group - and their policies are determined by independent boards of local trustees. Since 1986, donations amounting to more than £12 million have been made across the four regions.

The Chairman of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands is John Boothman and the Deputy Chairman is Guernsey Jurat Dr John Ferguson. The Executive Director is John Hutchins.

Mr Hutchins said: “This is a brilliant small charity with whom the Foundation has worked over a seven year period and we were delighted to be in a position to assist recently.”

WIGWAM is a local charity founded in 1999 by parents to offer friendship, support and advice to other parents, families and friends who have, or are involved with, a child with a special need.