TRIBUTE: Charity champion gave a "brighter future" to so many

Thursday 02 March 2023

The Chair of a charity that provides support to vulnerable children and families has lauded the contribution of its "widely respected" former CEO after she passed away last month.

Brighter Future's Martin Fricker led tributes to Ruth Brunton...

On Friday 10th February, the wider Brighter Futures family learned that its beloved former CEO, Ruth Brunton, has passed away peacefully.

Ruth joined Brighter Futures in January 2016 after moving to Jersey with her husband, David, in late 2015 and was CEO of the charity until 2021.  

A celebration of Ruth’s life took place on Monday 27 February 2023 in America, featuring a special tribute by the Brighter Futures staff team.

By way of further tribute, an 11-mile 'Walk For Ruth' will be undertaken by 'Team Brighter Futures', including staff, supporters, past clients and friends, on Friday 24 March 2023, with a route mapped out between Jersey Pearl and The Grand Hotel Jersey. 

As CEO of Brighter Futures, Ruth brought to Jersey extensive knowledge and experience of charities, education and the challenges young children and families face. 

Pictured: Ruth Brunton, the former CEO of Brighter Futures. 

After graduating with a degree in Psychology, Human Communication and Education, and post graduate qualifications in Child and Adolescent Mental Health; Counselling Skills and Teaching and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), Ruth subsequently gained considerable experience  working with children and young people from a range of multi-agency and statutory roles within the public and voluntary sectors in the UK.  

During her six years as CEO, Ruth developed the charity to deliver a comprehensive suite of programmes to support 150 families at any one time during times of challenge, supporting them to identify new tools to thrive, increase their resilience and make sustainable changes that enabled them to create a brighter future for themselves and their families. 

During her tenure, Brighter Futures supported more than 2,200 families in Jersey, with Ruth leading a team of dedicated, highly skilled, and qualified key workers and support staff. 

It is testament to the work Ruth did that her leadership and knowledge was widely respected outside of the charity, with key stakeholders including government, relevant governmental departments and politicians seeking her guidance, opinion and input. In 2021, she was named as "Director of the Year- Third Sector" at the Jersey IoD Awards.

Ruth left Brighter Futures in March 2021 after being diagnosed with a life-changing illness and moved to the United States to be closer to her family.

Her passing has been felt by many, not only her beloved family and the staff at Brighter Futures, but also the hundreds of families in Jersey that have a brighter future due to her inspirational leadership.

The Brighter Futures Walk for Ruth on 24 March 2023, with Ruth’s husband David in attendance, will pay tribute to her legacy, share happy memories and raise funds for her beloved Brighter Futures. It will also support research into a cure for MND, with half of proceeds raised being donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (Jersey Branch).

Donations may be made in Ruth’s memory HERE.