Charities feeling the squeeze from States cuts

Monday 13 June 2016

A charity set up to help Islanders struggling with their finances says States cuts are leaving local charities facing their own funding crisis.

Community Savings has seen 200 new customers over the last year, many needing emergency loans and help with budgeting but the charity's head says it's hard to expand when they don't know what government support they are going to get.

Community Savings Executive Chairman Brian Curtis M.B.E. said: “We are seeing no decrease in demand for our services and we will always be there for those that need us but it gets increasingly difficult to plan ahead and expand our initiatives when funding is not guaranteed and many who provide it, such as the States, are reducing the level of donations previously made.”

The charity, that has recently moved to new offices in Commercial Street, helps Islanders who find it difficult to access high street banking and help them manage their finances, either short or long term. 

It also gives Money Management training in schools and to adult groups and is the local contact for my deposits Jersey, the London-based company responsible for running the Tenants Deposit Scheme.

The charity has just published its latest review and you can read the full thing here.