Guernsey charities launch awareness campaign #WithoutUs

Friday, 26 April 2024 13:55

The Association of Guernsey Charities wants islanders to understand the consequences of losing their services, as the sector faces challenges.

In a recent survey, 26% of charities in Guernsey and Alderney said they anticipate needing to redesign their services to remain financially viable.

While 29% reported struggling in the last 12 months to keep up with their running costs.

Association Chair Wayne Bulpitt says service demand is increasing, while money and manpower are decreasing.

41% of charities reported increased difficulty recruiting or retaining volunteers, with a third being general volunteer roles such as drivers, catering, and organising activities.

Mr Bulpitt hopes the sector-wide campaign #WithoutUs, which shares stories online, will make their impact on the community clearer - and increase financial and voluntary support.

"It's well understood that charities fill the gap between what the government can provide and what the population needs.

But it is not necessarily so clear to us that the public understands the impact that there might be on life within our community if those services did not exist."

Mr Bulpitt says charities, directly and indirectly, impact the lives of almost everybody in the Bailiwick.

"If Guernsey voluntary service were no longer able to deliver the Meals on Wheels, not only would many vulnerable people in the Bailiwick go without a hot meal each day, but it would be harder for them to remain at home, meaning they may have to go into care earlier.

That would be a greater drain on the community's resources, to fund that.

If Guernsey Mind were unable to deliver their services, increased numbers would suffer from mental health problems, which might reduce their ability to continue working, which again would impact our community and the cost of running it."