Posted: 21/11/2011
Nine charities have secured a share of £33,600 at the Barclays Wealth Community Awards 2011.
The winners were announced at a special presentation evening aboard visiting Royal Navy ship, HMS IRON DUKE, on Thursday 17 November.
Nearly 40 applications were made to the Barclays Wealth Community Awards 2011 which is open to registered charities in Jersey that are looking for a grant to fund a local project or initiative that will make a real difference to people in a variety of ways. Of these applicants, 12 were shortlisted, with nine securing a share of the increased prize pot of £33,600.
Paul Savery, managing director, Barclays Wealth Intermediaries and International Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man said: ‘The standard of the entries was incredibly high and the judging process was extremely difficult. However, there were several standout projects that we know will make a significant difference to members of our island community. We have had to raise the amount we intended to giveaway from £25,000 to £33,600 as there were just so many worthy recipients.'
The Zannah Trust has been awarded £12,000 for the charity's Star Gaze Project. The Trust was sent up in memory of Zannah Pemberton who, following her accident in 2006, regained some means of communication and thanks to the SpecialEffect charity in the UK who specialise in the field of computer control technology, she was able to learn how to use eye movement technology to control her computer. Following this breakthrough, The Zannah Trust has given what resources it can to SpecialEffect so that it can help more islanders to learn how to use this equipment. Working closely with Jersey's health and educational authorities and various professionals who are able to customise the technology, the charity purchased two systems which are loaned to people in Jersey who have severe disabilities. The £12,000 pledge from Barclays Wealth will be used for the purchase of an additional eye-gaze system so that the charity will now have three systems available for use by people on the island.
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust secured £6,200 to re-develop the park's outdoor classroom, which is used by thousands of island school children every year. The facility is in desperate need of an update and the Trust plans to turn this grassy area into an interactive learning zone, themed around sustainability. Around 3,500 school children aged three to 18 use the classroom annually in addition to 1,000 young visitors across the weekends.
Jersey Mencap, which supports adults and children with learning disabilities and their families, collected £5,000 which will enable the charity to run its social club. The social club provides an invaluable opportunity for participants to develop new friendships and gain confidence in a variety of social environments. The 60 club members currently enjoy theatre trips, bowling, meals out, discos, fishing trips and petanque. It is hoped that with the additional funds this grant will provide, more activities can be introduced in 2012.
Les Amis is associated with Mencap and exists to provide homes for people with learning disabilities and/or an associated condition. It was the recipient of a £4,000 grant to set up a musical workshop that will allow residents and adults with similar needs, who currently have no access to this type of programme, to gain enjoyment through musical expression. The workshops will help participants to explore the therapeutic values of music, vocal expression and dance.
Child Accident Prevention Jersey was awarded £2,000 which will be used to design and print the 4th issue of the Safety Sam comic, for a further two years. The comic is distributed to every Year Two and Three primary school child and features stories based on Jersey's Emergency Department accident data, which ensures that these storylines are current and reflect current accident trends in Jersey. As approximately 4,000 children attend Jersey's A&E every year due to accidental injuries, and on average 108 children are admitted to hospital, the comic's messages and warnings can make a significant difference.
3rd Jersey (St Saviour) Scout Group scooped £1,800 at the awards which will help the group to secure a storage place for frequently used camping equipment. For many years this Scout group has struggled to find a suitable place in which to store its extensive camping equipment. With more than 100 Beaver Scouts through to older Scouts, finding a location large enough, which is secure, has been a challenge. The planning permission has now been granted for a donated storage shed to be erected and the Barclays Wealth Community Awards grant will ensure that this is relocated, reconstructed and fitted out for this purpose.
NSPCC Jersey Pathways collected £1,500 which will be used to provide equipment for a second universal drop-in support service for parents and carers at First Tower. The services will include a ‘Bumps and Babes' pregnancy support drop-in group, which will support mums and babies up to three months. There will be a crèche facility for older siblings and a ‘baby-grow' drop-in for the carers and mothers of babies up to the age of one. The sessions will be child focused and provide a variety of play opportunities and new experiences for youngsters as well as offering parenting advice for mums and carers.
Jersey Citizens Advice Bureau was awarded £600 which will fund a much needed photocopier and printer as their current machine has been rendered unserviceable. The Jersey CAB, which has been supporting islanders for 33 years, is a leading source of independent, impartial and free advice. The Jersey CAB deals with more than 12,000 clients per year and as part of the work often need to provide clients with printed or copied material. It is hoped that through this award the CAB can continue to meet the needs of clients.
Project Linus UK distributes locally made blankets to children who ‘need a hug' be it physically or emotionally and they secured £500 which will fund 50 locally made blankets for the young beneficiaries of the charity. The blankets are made by volunteers in Jersey, some of whom are making them for their own therapy as they have suffered memory loss or have mental health issues. A number of blankets are also supplied by elderly islanders. The project also provides blankets to organisations such as the Women's Refuge who have seen the positive impact the giving of these handmade blankets, which a volunteer has put time and effort into, can have on a vulnerable youngster.
In addition to the £33,600 given away by Barclays Wealth in Jersey, Barclays Wealth Guernsey also gave away £30,000 at an awards ceremony last night, a total of £63,600 across the Channel Islands.