First CEO appointed at Bright Beginnings

Friday 29 September 2023

Bright Beginnings Charity has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer thanks in part to a multi-year grant from the Guernsey Community Foundation.

Lisa Blondel was raised and educated in Guernsey before moving to the UK to train as a secondary school teacher specialising in English.

She returned to the island in 2018, working with children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

“As a teacher, my focus was on children with significant needs and the effect that this has on their ability to learn,” she said.

“I’ve always been keen to ensure that they had the same opportunities as their peers. The Covid lockdowns were a particularly challenging time for families and young people. When we eventually returned to school, it was clear that lockdown had had a significant impact on children’s mental health and that many families were struggling.

“Two areas make a huge difference to a child’s development. The first is the crucial attachment a baby makes with their primary care givers, through the care and nurture they provide, and the second relates to language acquisition and literacy as they grow. Bright Beginnings provides support in both these areas.”

Pictured: Jim Roberts, Chief Executive of the Guernsey Community Foundation and Lisa Blondel, CEO of Bright Beginnings. 

Bright Beginnings — recognised as Charity of the Year at the Foundation’s 2021 Community Foundation Awards — has a clear aim: to help every parent and carer give their child the best possible start in life.

Now welcoming approximately 150 families a week, it opened a Children’s Centre and Nursery in 2017 with a range of services to support families with particular emphasis on the 1001 Critical Days Agenda.

Chair of Bright Beginnings David Farrimond said Ms Blondel is vital to their ongoing work. 

“The Board of Bright Beginnings are delighted to welcome Lisa as our CEO. Lisa brings a wealth of experience to this new role. We look forward with anticipation as Lisa focuses on the strategic direction of Bright Beginnings to benefit Guernsey families.”

The Guernsey Community Foundation’s substantial grant — which includes co-funding from a private charitable trust secured by the Foundation — will help fund Ms Blondel's role for several years.

The Foundation's Grants Programme gives over £250,000 a year to charities with applications, which should be for a minimum of £5,000, accepted all year round.

Jim Roberts, Chief Executive of the Guernsey Community Foundation, said; “We are very pleased to have been able to support this challenging and important role and wish Lisa and the team at Bright Beginnings the greatest success in their journey.”