Help a Guernsey Child is marking 25 years of supporting local children and families.
Since its establishment as a charitable trust in 2001, it has provided more than £1.2 million worth of essential items, equipment, services and support to thousands of children and young people across the Bailiwick.
Alex Jenner of Help a Guernsey Child said: “Over the past twenty five years, we have seen significant changes in the types of support families require, but our purpose has remained the same, to ensure that children in the Bailiwick are not disadvantaged because they lack the essentials that every child deserves.
“The figures are significant, but they only tell part of the story. A relatively small grant at exactly the right time can make a profound difference to a child’s safety, wellbeing, education or independence.”
The charity receives applications through social workers, health visitors, teachers, doctors, nurses and other frontline professionals who have identified a need. Its directors consider each application individually, with most decisions made within 24 hours.
In its early years, the charity helped fund larger community projects. Today, its work increasingly focuses on individual children and families who need practical essentials and have no readily available alternative source of funding.
Support ranges from beds, flooring, white goods and clothing to safety equipment, heating appliances, specialist disability equipment and educational opportunities. The rising cost of living has contributed to increased demand for essential household items.
Where practical, goods and services are sourced locally. Personal information is removed or redacted before applications are considered to protect the privacy of the children and families involved.
Alex Jenner added: “We are incredibly grateful to the individuals, businesses, trusts and organisations whose generosity has enabled us to support local children for the past 25 years. We are also hugely grateful to the frontline professionals who identify children in need and help ensure support reaches those who will benefit from it most.
“Reaching our 25th anniversary is an important milestone, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead. The need for practical support has changed over the years and will continue to change, but our commitment remains the same, to provide practical help, delivered quickly, where it can make the greatest difference.”
