Five changes I would make to my Jersey...

Friday 04 November 2016

We've all got views, often strong ones, on what we do to change Jersey for the better, so Bailiwick Express thought it was about time to get some of those on the record.

And so, over the next weeks and months, we will be asking ordinary folk from police officers to politicians, binmen to bankers, lollipop ladies to lads out on the town what they would do differently.

We will be challenging them all with a simple question: if you had five aspects of life in Jersey which you would like to see change, what would they be?

First up is road safety campaigner Nicola McAteer, who moved to Jersey from Scotland to work in the finance industry. You may have heard of her recently as the lady who is leading the campaign for safety reforms around Millennium Park, following the tragic death of a toddler, Clinton Pringle, earlier this year:

1. Practise mindfulness and provide lessons in meditation in all nurseries and schools in Jersey.

The more we can encourage our community to practise mindfulness and meditation, the more peaceful our world can be. It has been proven to help reduce children's anger and frustration by channeling their emotions differently.  A meditation teacher in Scotland recently explained the following after providing classes of meditation. 

“Their mums have given me positive feedback – how much both of them enjoy the sessions and how they are happy and more able to deal with stressful times; while being calmer after the sessions and less angry. I believe that the meditation sessions make them feel positive and valued.”  Yvonne Payne, Connected Kids Tutor, Aberdeen.

2. Provide all children with the availability of free nursery places from 6 months old.  

Some families really struggle financially at this time in their lives. The first few years of a new child's life can be the most difficult for families who struggle to get a balance of wanting to be there for their child, and the need to go back to work.  Many families find that going back to work doesn't leave them with much money, if any, as childcare in Jersey is so costly.

3. A change in High street shopping on a Sunday.  

Coming from the UK to Jersey almost 13 years ago, I still find it difficult to comprehend that the high street shops miss out on this valuable income stream. We have so many tourists and visitors to the Island, and Islanders who would enjoy the opportunity to spend their money at weekends in our high street.  I believe this would help keep the high street alive, and bustling with shoppers. 

4. To have easier and cheaper methods of travel to and from Jersey.  Costs are always rising, and direct flights are becoming more limited to many UK main airports.

5. To utilise the Fort to its maximum potential!  Hotel, casino, adventure park, trampoline park, indoor skateboard park, arts and craft centre as suggestions.