The Accidental Zoo strikes gold with JTC

Wednesday 16 February 2022

The Accidental Zoo has made JTC, an institutional and private client services firm, its first charity 'gold partner’ of 2022.

The Guernsey-based charity uses its animal resources and rural outdoor space to provide positive experiences to educate, inspire and support people living in the Bailiwick.

Established in 2019 and registered as a charity in 2021, The Accidental Zoo has aligned with government policies to deliver meaningful and measurable social impact, engaging with primary-age schoolchildren through year-group specific and curriculum-linked educational workshops to bring learning to life.

As part of JTC’s gold partnership, The Accidental Zoo recently visited the firm’s offices - accompanied by a few snakes - to deliver a unique ‘lunch and learn’ session. 

The partnership will also see employees at JTC participate in a range of volunteering and corporate social responsibility (CSR) days to support The Accidental Zoo in helping to care for animals and assisting with enclosures and site maintenance and participating in fundraising events. 

Pictured: The Accidental Zoo achieved charitable status last year and offers multiple programmes to deliver nature-based education and wellbeing. 

Through its Wellbeing Matters programme, the charity also supports the long-term health and wellbeing of locals seeking a better quality of life.

The new partnership was made possible by a recent global initiative from JTC known as ‘Maximising Potential’, which saw educational charities around the world benefit from the employee-led fundraising programme. 

Over 1,000 employees across JTC’s global office network were challenged to raise money for local educational causes with a grand total of nearly £90,000 benefiting charities in the communities in which they work.

Commenting on the partnership, JTC’s Guernsey Managing Director James Tracey said: “For many years, the JTC Guernsey office has raised funds to support charities that have particular meaning to the team and that support our island community. For 2022, The Accidental Zoo was a standout choice.  

“Firstly, they are in need of financial support to fund the running costs of the charity. Secondly, it is a charity that we were very familiar with through their community work. Thirdly, they are focused on education, social impact and mental and physical wellbeing, all of which are aligned with our ‘strong together’ ethos.”

Mr Tracey said he and his team are looking forward to building a lasting relationship with the charity. 

Dean Winsall, Chairman of The Accidental Zoo, said: “We are delighted to welcome JTC as our first gold partner this year. The financial support will, amongst several things, fund the charity to deliver 2,600 hours of educational workshops to the Bailiwick’s primary schools, which will bring learning alive and support children to be the most successful learners they can be.”

"We also very much look forward to working with JTC Guernsey staff over the next 12 months as they engage in their CSR programme.”

JTC provides a range of private and institutional client services with a focus across a range of service lines, including fund administration, private wealth services, pension administration and management services.

Pictured (top): Guernsey Managing Director James Tracey (left) holding one of the Zoo's snakes during a visit to the company's offices and The Accidental Zoo site.