Fund administrator donates £90k to charities

Sunday 12 April 2020

A local firm has split donations worth £90,000 across four local charities providing “immense support” to the local community through the covid-19 crisis.

Mind Jersey, Brighter Futures and Beresford Street Kitchen have each received £20,000, while Caring Cooks of Jersey received £30,000 from Saltgate, a provider of fund administration services with 100 employees in Jersey.

An additional, £10,000 also went to two UK charities, as Saltgate has a small office in London.

Through its registered charity, Saltgate Giving, the group provides financial support to charities that aim to “enable strong and connected communities”.

“In these times of extreme uncertainty and vulnerability, it is essential that we continue to support the communities that we operate in, offering commitment and longterm partnership,” the group said in a statement, adding that Jersey Jersey is a key community for its business operations. 

The group said all benefitting charities were providing “immense support to our local communities through the covid-19 crisis”.

Brighter Futures was specifically chosen because of the support it provides to vulnerable families on the island, with the firm noting that demand for the charity’s services would increase dramatically during the current crisis. 

Pictured: Brighter Futures, which provides support to vulnerable families and young people, was one of the chosen charities.

As Sharon Betts, Community Engagement Officer for Brighter Futures, explained not only is the charity receiving new client referrals daily but some families’ situations have worsened, and they are requiring more assistance.

“Brighter Futures try to 'cap' at 150 families at any one time as this is all we have the annual funds for. Although from my time working within, I have never seen my organisation turn anyone away, they just walk right in from the street and our key workers catch them," she said.

“The families we support under ‘normal’ circumstances are already facing a range, and often a multiple of difficulties and challenges and were just about managing to cope, but, since covid-19, many clients’ situations have deteriorated further, compounded by loss of income and the enforced social isolation leading to already challenging circumstances with many relationships becoming even more pressured and deteriorating.”

Thanks to the donation, Mental Health charity Mind Jersey will now be able to purchase equipment to facilitate more online individual and multi-lateral discussions, support groups and meetings, as it seeks to adapt during these uncertain times.

“There will always be a value in face-to-face dialogue, but these unusual circumstances offer up new possibilities and opportunities that we are keen to embrace,” the charity’s Executive Director, James Le Feuvre, said.

The impact of covid-19 is already increasing anxiety and distress in islanders and Mind are anticipating an upsurge in people seeking support as the virus recedes.

“We are already thinking about how we might meet this demand – particularly in delivering the low intensity and early interventions that we have always promoted,” Mr Le Feuvre added. 

“This approach could help a significant number of islanders better manage their own mental health and also take pressure off more specialist services which would otherwise be inundated.”

Caring Cooks and Beresford Street Kitchen are both providing food directly to vulnerable and isolated individuals as well as supporting other charities at this time. The former recently extended its weekly meal service into a daily one, while the latter has started a ‘pay it forward scheme’, which supports over 100 vulnerable adults with wholesome, nutritious meals.

Georgie Dodds, Fundraising Manager Beresford Street Kitchen, said the charity was "overwhelmed" with the £20,000 donation.

“This money will not only help us provide more meals to the community through our ‘pay it forward’ scheme, but will also help us as a charity through these difficult times. 

“We have had a significant loss of income since having to close and we just don’t know how long this will go on for. Acts of kindness like this gives us security for the future.”

Saltgate say they hope their contribution will not only ensure both charities can continue to provide their current services, but also safeguard their activities for the future. 

“We understand that the charities in our communities are going to struggle more than usual to find funding at this critical time,” Hannah Culshaw, the firm's Chief Corporate Officer said.

“We want to enable these charities and their networks to be able to focus on delivering their often vital and key services, and to help relieve them of the worry of how they will be funded.

"The volunteers and charity workers at Brighter Futures, Mind Jersey, BSK and Caring Cooks are working so hard, and we want them to know that they are acknowledged and very much appreciated.”