Charitable causes focused on young people and children in Guernsey were awarded a total of £138,000 in 2024 thanks to grants and funding from the Social Investment Fund Guernsey, supported by Channel Islands Lottery funding.
The total funds distributed to causes across the Channel Islands from Lottery ticket sales in 2024 was £2.7m.
With the school summer holiday starting, charities and groups that provide relief, opportunity and activities for young people come sharply into focus. Charities helping to make opportunities more accessible play a vital role in supporting families across the Channel Islands during the six-week break.
The Social Investment Fund (SIF) supports vital charities and groups by providing grants and funding to a wide range of beneficiaries and causes, from accessibility to culture and the arts, to the environment, education and health & wellbeing. In Guernsey, funding for these projects comes in part from the proceeds of ticket sales from the Channel Islands (CI) Lottery, with any organisations looking for funding invited to apply during one of the yearly funding rounds. The next rounds of funding will take place in the Autumn.
In 2024, SIF provided grants and funding totalling £138,000 to causes specifically focused on children and young people including:
- Youth Commission (Guernsey Skateparks) – The Pool House (pictured): A grant of £14,403 has transformed a disused swimming pool at St Andrew’s Primary School into The Pool House – a new indoor skatepark which is a vibrant skateboard and BMX academy run by Guernsey Skateparks.
- Guernsey Sports Commission in partnership with Up Climbing: £10,000 supported the launch of a Community Climbing Project tailored for early years children and individuals with SEND.
- Action For Children: £70,000 went towards running costs of new training flats for young people at risk of homelessness.
Other supported projects include Alderney Rugby Football Union Club (£5,000), Guernsey Netball Association (£10,000), Guernsey Sports Commission (£10,000), Guernsey Football Association Youth Council (£3,120), and Guernsey Child Contact Centre (£16,380).
Sadie Siviter de Paucar from SIF said: “A combination of the increase in the cost of living, the long school summer holidays and activity costs can put pressure on carers as well as charities and groups that provide activities and support for our young Islanders. We know that being mentally and physically active and connecting with other young people is vital for well-being and self-esteem but the organisations we help fund provide more than just that. They often provide safe places for young people to gather and access to trained adults who can support them or signpost other organisations who can help. This also helps takes the strain off parents who are working hard to provide for their families. Without this funding many young people would certainly not be able to access such a wide range of services and we are proud to be able to help safeguard the future of our island community.”
Jon Taylor, Head of Lottery, said: “It’s important that our residents know that the proceeds of the Channel Islands Lottery are funnelled right back into the community through the work of our partners like the Social Investment Fund. SIF are able to ensure that the money is spent wisely, in a timely fashion and in exactly the right places that can get to the heart of the issues affecting our communities right now, and highlighting the excellent work that they do will hopefully encourage more organisations to come forward for grants in the future.”
