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Rachel French, Liberate: Five things I would change about Jersey

Rachel French, Liberate: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 22 September 2017

Rachel French, Liberate: Five things I would change about Jersey

Friday 22 September 2017


She recently hosted her first Pride as Chair of equality and diversity charity Liberate and is a champion of inclusion.

While her days are usually pretty busy, between her position as CEO of the Jersey Community Partnership, her charity work and raising two children, Rachel French found time to tell us five things she would like to change about the island.

1. Parental leave: two weeks is not enough

The first 1,001 days of a child's life are critical to their future development. Without the nurturing of a caring adult during this time children are more likely to develop anti-social behaviours, achieve less at school and at work, and are less healthy both physically and mentally.

Rachel French with Baby Oscar

Pictured: Rachel French would have loved to spend more time with baby Oscar, here at one-day-old, after his birth. 

So why is the statutory paid maternity leave allowance just two weeks? Two weeks. For the person supporting the mother it's the same amount of time although no statutory provision that this be paid. This has to change, for the good of our children and the health and well-being of parents.

 2. It's time to say 'I do' to same-sex marriage!

I fundamentally just don't understand why, in 2017, we are fighting for equality for same sex couples. I've read many opinions on the matter and I acknowledge the views from the faith-based voices in the room, but I do not accept them.

Liberate Pride 2017

Pictured: Rachel French, along with the members of Liberate, is looking forward to celebrating with same-sex couples when they will finally be able to get married.

Roll on March 2018 when the legislation will have been passed and I can look forward to celebrating with dear friends who will stand up and declare their commitment to each other through the bonds of marriage.

 3. Being green shouldn't be this hard

Whether that's kerb side recycling, renewable energy sources or fewer cars on the road, I'd like to see 'being green' an easier thing to be.

Rubbish recycling

Pictured: Rachel French is getting frustrated with how difficult it can be to recycle, even if it is the right thing to do.

It's a conscious effort on my behalf because I know it's the right thing to do, but it shouldn't feel this difficult. 

4. We don't need a guilty party in a divorce

The decision to end the marriage will already have been taken, and it's painful enough as it is, especially with children involved.

divorce.jpeg

Pictured: Divorces are painful enough without having to blame one of the party for it.

Apportioning blame only adds to this pain and it's unnecessary. It's time to change the blame culture and focus instead on what can be done to ensure an amicable split.

 5. Let us fly for less!

Whether it's islanders needing different horizons or those wishing to see what beautiful horizons Jersey has to offer, the cost of travel to and from Jersey is extortionate.

air travel plane

Pictured: Escaping the rock can sometimes prove costly, especially with two children in tow.

It prohibits me taking my two children to see their grandparents in the UK and we lose so many tourist dollars to cheap European city break deals. I know it's not something that's going to change, but oh how I wish it would.

 

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not those of Bailiwick Express.

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