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2024 was an "important year" for Bright Beginnings, with that work continuing this year as the charity supports families throughout Guernsey, with plans to reach further across the Bailiwick.
The charity, based at Delancey Park, has three strands – its Children’s Centre (for ages 0-4 years), The Nursery and Preschool (0-4 years), and ‘The Next Chapter’ Literacy Programme (4-11 years).
"Each area has a slightly different focus, but they are all linked through our aim to give every child the best start in life and to ensure that all children in Guernsey have access to the nurture, care and learning they need to thrive," said Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Blondel.
Pictured: A baby massage class at Bright Beginnings.
"2024 has been an important year for streamlining our communications and branding so that everyone is aware of these three strands and how they form the organisation," she added.
Ms Blondel said the different strands of Bright Beginning's work each delivered their own highlights over the past year.
She said these included:
Developing our work around birth trauma through the Children’s Centre and supporting many families through our Beyond Blue services
Developing our training programme to develop talent in the childcare profession through the Nursery and Preschool
Reinvigorating our Literacy Programme, now renamed as ‘The Next Chapter’ (formerly Every Child Our Future), with high turn outs for individuals and corporates training to become reading volunteers, which has meant that more schools can receive reading volunteers to support their learners’ literacy.
Through its work with families across Guernsey, Bright Beginnings has also forged new links with others in the community, said Ms Blondel.
"Working with local designer, Ellie Daisy Atkinson to raise funds for the Children’s Centre and awareness of parental mental health has also been a highlight, with her beautifully designed tea towel now in many homes throughout the island, the UK and further afield."
Pictured: The tea towel designed by Ellie Daisy Atkinson.
The wide scope of Bright Beginnings work has been recognised by many since it was founded in 2016, with another 2024 highlight reflecting that continued respect for its work.
"Bright Beginnings is respected as a leading voice in Early Years, which we were delighted to have recognised by the Lieutenant Governor and his wife on a visit in Oct 2024," said Ms Blondel.
At the time of his visit, His Excellency, Richard Cripwell said: “It is so important for children to have the right start in life and this is precisely what is being achieved at Bright Beginnings.”
"We were also very pleased that Teresa Bott, our Children’s Centre Manager, was invited to meet the King and Queen on their recent visit (as part of the tea and cake meet and greet at the Crown Pier)," added Ms Blondel, as she reflected on 2024's highlights.
"We have retained and grown our volunteer base across the organisation, but especially in the Children’s Centre in the café and creche, and in ‘The Next Chapter’, (We are so grateful for the support of all of our wonderful volunteers, who make an immeasurable difference to the lives of families)."
Like all third sector organisations, Bright Beginnings relies on those volunteers, as well as its staff, to run its services which are vital to many in the community.
Those services are predominately paid for through charitable donations, with Bright Beginnings also receiving some third sector grants.
Pictured: Staff and volunteers run Bright Beginnings' services.
Ms Blondel said "funding remains our biggest challenge", adding that: "we are always searching for a sustainable funding solution to ensure our work can continue without having to reduce services or limit the support we can offer the community.
"The cost of living crisis has a large impact on charities, meaning that competition for resources is high and we must be able to do more with less. We have had to be innovative and creative in order to find new ways to raise money and awareness.
"We are extremely lucky to have support from a wide range of the community, who recognise our hard work, and give as much as they can to enable us to achieve our aim to ensure every child has the best start in life. We are extremely grateful to the corporates, grant giving bodies, trusts and individuals who make our work possible."
Now that 2025 is underway, Bright Beginnings regular services have resumed with 'Bosom Buddies', 'Great Expectations', and yoga classes among those on the calendar.
For Ms Blondel and the management team at Bright Beginnings, they've also kickstarted their plans to widen their remit, and further their work throughout this year.
"In 2025 we aim to develop more partnerships to support families throughout Guernsey, as well as reach further into the Bailiwick," she said.
"We wish for all children to be given the best start in life (a bright beginning), so that they grow up to be happy and healthy, with bright futures."
Pictured top and above: All images supplied.
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