As we mark World Health Day, Standard Chartered Jersey has launched a new community project to support young people on the Island recover from the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Jersey Health Citizens Programme is part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. Delivered by St John Ambulance Jersey trained volunteers, with £20,000 funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation, the project will run for one year. It aims to support 15 to 18-year-olds, who are struggling to find work or start a business in the current challenging economic environment.
The project includes mental health training, where circa 40 youngsters will build vital skills and develop projects that advocate for mental health within the Jersey community. Additionally, it will give them extra transferable and leadership skills to explore pathways into job opportunities within the health and social care sector, and beyond.
St John Ambulance Jersey are working with a variety of partners including, Jersey Probation, Jersey Youth Service, the States of Jersey Police and Mind Jersey to identify the right young people who will benefit the most from this programme.
Standard Chartered employees in Jersey will support the delivery of the project as part of the Bank’s employee volunteering programme. They can donate their time to mentor, share their skills and expertise, and provide insights into the world of work.
Henry Baye, Standard Chartered CEO, Jersey, said: “The global Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact individuals, businesses and communities throughout our markets. Young people in Jersey have been hit hard with dramatically fewer work and training opportunities available, and an uncertain future ahead. We’re proud to strengthen our relationship with St John Ambulance, also community beneficiaries of the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon, and are thrilled that the charity will be delivering this Futuremakers project on the Island.”
Sarah Harman, St John Ambulance Jersey CEO, said: “We are pleased to partner with Standard Chartered Bank to support young people who feel passionately about their local community and want to make a difference within it. They will be equipped with a range of essential employability and leadership skills with a specific health focus.”
This announcement comes as the Bank recently raised over £3,000 for St John Ambulance through the Standard Chartered Jersey 2021 Marathon and partnered with charity ArtHouse Jersey to sponsor an art competition for young people across the Island. It also donated around £45,000 in 2020 to fund two disinfectors to clean public areas, Beresford Street Kitchen and the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation.
In 2020, Standard Chartered set up a USD50 million Covid-19 Global Charitable Fund to provide emergency relief and economic support for communities impacted by Covid-19. The Bank has committed USD25 million to support youth-focused economic recovery projects as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. The Standard Chartered Foundation is the lead delivery partner for Futuremakers projects, including projects supporting economic recovery from Covid-19.
Futuremakers is the Bank’s global initiative to tackle inequality by promoting economic inclusion for young people for disadvantaged young people across its markets, including those affected by Covid-19.
