Guernsey Community Foundation has appointed Joni Nettleship as its first dedicated third sector liaison officer.
Joni is responsible for organising training and support for third sector professionals, expanding the Foundation’s volunteer matching programme, and strengthening the network of communication between the island’s charities and voluntary organisations. She will also work with grants programme manager Anna Le Page in organising the Foundation’s annual Community Awards.
Joni has a strong background in education and the arts, having spent the last 20 years teaching both locally and in the UK, and more recently working as a self-employed artist and office administrator. She joins the team during a particularly challenging time for the island’s third sector.
“I’ve always wanted to work for the third sector as I’m passionate about helping people,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be joining the fantastic team at the Foundation, especially at a time when the Island is becoming more reliant on the services charities provide.”
After growing up in Guernsey, Joni moved to Brighton to study Art History. She eventually became Education Officer at Brighton Museum and Royal Pavilion and went on to train as a primary school teacher, working at schools in Guernsey and inner-city London. Before joining the Foundation she had volunteered with a wide range of charities.
The Foundation’s Chief Executive, Jim Roberts, said: “Joni joins us with a wealth of relevant experience under her belt. With her people skills, her time spent running a business and her charitable work, she’s a perfect addition to the team.
“The coronavirus outbreak is putting pressure on charities by ramping up demand for their services and threatening their income streams. The Foundation is here to help by providing training and support, advising on strategy, assisting in the search for volunteers, and awarding grants.”
Mr Roberts said that one of Joni’s first tasks is to introduce herself to many of the island’s third sector professionals and find out more about different charities’ needs and challenges. This will feed into a programme of work closely tied to the development of the Foundation’s new Charities Support Centre.
