Charities "struggling to survive"

Tuesday 21 April 2020

Funding for local charities has nosedived by as much as 55%, as many experience higher demand for their services than ever.

The statistics were released by the Jersey Community Partnership (JCP), which explained how charities had been hit hard by the covid-19 pandemic.

While the Jersey Funders Group and Bailiff's Fund have been established to help them continue their work throughout the health emergency, JCP pointed out that this funding was only for those providing services in direct response to the virus crisis.

Meanwhile, charities are also unable to apply for government support if they have already received a grant in advance of the outbreak.

Pictured: Charities are needed more than ever during the corona virus outbreak. 

Express's partner charity for 2020, Jersey Action Against Rape, is among those affected.

Office Manager Jayne Gruchy explained: "[We] have provided over 2,350 'free' specialised counselling hours to both men and women since it opened five years ago. Since the outbreak of covid-19, we have seen an increase in people contacting the charity."We anticipate that our survivors’ needs will be even more acute when the restrictions are lifted and we want to be there for them, there is no one else in Jersey providing this support service.

"We simply will not be able to provide this specialist level of care at a time they need it most, if we do not have the funds now to ensure we’re still in existence in three months’ time.”

And the issue is not new - the Head of Jersey Hospice first raised the alarm in Express last month, explaining that the palliative care service, which costs thousands of pounds per day to run, was losing £20,000 a week from the closure of its charity shop alone.

JCP's CEO Rachel French commented: “There is a fundamental lack of support for the charity sector to weather this storm, particularly those who are unable to provide their services at the current time but whose support will be called upon even more when the restrictions are lifted.

"Where is the financial aid for those charities who may not be front-line services today but will be vital to the recovery of the island in the aftermath? We must look towards the time when we are in recovery phase, the current outlook is simply too short-termist.

"We urge the government to take a longer-term view and release funding for the sector before we see critical services collapse.”  

Asked about support for charities at a press conference yesterday, the Chief Minister said government was aware of the difficulties being faced by charities and was continuing to consider how to support them.