Islanders thank local charity for “incredible” support

Saturday 09 May 2020

Brighter Futures has been inundated with messages from families receiving help from the charity, thanking them for their support and highlighting the importance of having "someone to turn to" during the crisis.

The charity supports families facing a variety of challenges and difficulties, including poverty, social isolation, physical illness and domestic abuse.

One islander, a single parent with a disability, said the charity had been “incredible” by helping with food shopping and regularly checking in with phone calls.

Others said they “couldn’t be anymore grateful” for the “kindness, support and help” from the Brighter Futures team, and highlighted how important it is to have someone to “check in and touch base” with. 

Pictured: In response to the crisis, Brighter Futures created activity packs for children of the 160 families they support 

By talking to the charity over the phone, another islander told Brighter Futures that they “might actually sleep tonight” after they helped ease their worries, writing: “Thanks for everything, you are amazing.” 

The charity’s Community Engagement Officer, Sharon Betts, said that many of their clients’ situations have “deteriorated further” as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

However, thanks to recent donations, which include £150,000 from local philanthropist Scott Thomas, Brighter Futures is able to continue its vital work with both existing and new clients.  

Pictured: Sharon Betts, Brighter Futures' Community Engagement Officer 

In just one week, the Brighter Futures team made contact with families on over 330 occasions to check, for example, on their mental health or that they had basic essentials. 

“We continue to accept new referrals daily, and we fully anticipate that we will receive even more referrals once the immediate crisis is over,” Sharon said.

“Brighter Futures are extremely grateful to Scott for his generous donation, which will truly make a difference to families in Jersey at a very difficult time.

“The donation will help us to work alongside clients co-producing the support they need, enabling them to build resilience, make significant changes and create a brighter future for themselves and their families.”