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A politician is pushing the Government to ensure that funding for a community grant scheme is safeguarded next year to help support the introduction of social prescribing in Jersey.
Deputy Louise Doublet's proposition asks for £86,215 to be taken from the budget for the Cabinet Office and allocated to the Connect Me grant programme in 2025.
The Government initiative, which received £380,000 of funding in 2024, provides opportunities for Jersey residents to take part in cultural and physical activities – some of which can be 'prescribed' to islanders as an alternative to medical intervention.
But in the Government's proposed Budget for 2025 to 2028, Connect Me funding is to be cut by 20% to £305,000 next year.
Pictured: The 'Dreaming Trees' immersive installation in Howard Davis Park was one of the projects that received Connect Me grant funding.
In a report accompanying her amendment, Deputy Doublet explained that this funding slash will mean that up to 4,000 islanders will be unable to access community wellbeing activities that otherwise could have been available.
The politician is therefore calling for the Connect Me scheme to next year receive the 2024 funding amount of £380,000 plus 3% inflation, totalling £391,215.
She explained that this would "ensure the continuation of the project and support the introduction of social prescribing".
Social prescribing is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.
Pictured: Deputy Doublet shared a survey which outlined the benefits of the Connect Me grant scheme, according to participants.
In a written question last month, the Social Security Minister confirmed that the Connect Me grant is "intrinsic to the development of social prescribing on the island".
Deputy Doublet explained: "Earlier this year the Elemental Social Prescribing Platform was launched for Jersey.
"All GPs will be trained and accessing the social prescribing system by the end of 2025, so this year’s Connect Me projects are more important than ever due to increased awareness and signposting."
Jennifer Neff, co-founder of acclaimed Derry start-up, Access Elemental, is leading Jersey's social prescribing roll out. She recently spoke to Express about the benefits of the scheme.
Video: Age Concern manager Paul Simmons spoke about some of the benefits of the Connect Me initiative.
Deputy Doublet also pointed to figures from last year's Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey show that 25% of adults in Jersey feel lonely often or some of the time. This increases to 41% for those in the 16-34 age bracket.
"In the process of drafting this amendment, I had the pleasure of talking with a number of the [Connect Me] project organisers and participants," said Deputy Doublet.
"I heard stories of long-term health issues that have been turned around, employment gained, friendships built, enjoyment of sport, nature and creativity, and most of all feelings of connectedness, belonging, and gratitude to the Government and States Assembly for funding the activities.
"The Connect Me funding is having a dramatic positive effect on many islanders’ lives."
Since 2022, an estimated 25,000 islanders have benefited from the 150 projects funded by the Connect Me scheme.
FOCUS: Social prescribing – healthcare with a human touch
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