Express has been catching up with the island’s charities to find out how the past year has gone and what their greatest wishes are for the year ahead.
EYECAN is Jersey’s only charity focused solely on supporting islanders with sight impairment.
Development manager Anne Audrain shared the charity’s highlights of this year, and hopes and wishes for next year…
What have been the highlights of 2025?
Watching the charity thrive. It has been great to try new things and then enjoy seeing clients having new opportunities.
You and EYE coffee mornings are a great example of this where we work in partnership with BDO Jersey and clients can just turn up and self-serve with a social activity that brings great value.
Watching the smiles and hearing the conversations underpin why we do this work.
What has been the greatest challenge?
This is a difficult question. I think there is plenty of opportunity to improve the collective services the sector provides in conjunction with Government.
Having a better understanding of need, stronger protocols for data sharing, and then broader use and appreciation for all the wonderful services available on island.
There are pockets of good examples, but we can collectively do better.
So it’s more of an opportunity as opposed to a challenge, and we really do need to take that opportunity.
And what is on your charity’s ‘wish list’ for 2026?
To enjoy our celebrations for our 140 years of support islanders living with sight loss (as Jersey Blind Society since 1886 and now branded as EYECAN).
And to reach those who might need our support, but for whatever reason might not be aware of our services.
And then to make sure our services remain relevant and develop or adapt with what our clients need.
It really is a privilege to work for EYECAN, and our hard-working team of staff and volunteers wish you a very merry Christmas.