Select a region
The Committee for Health & Social Care has awarded Autism Guernsey a one-off grant of £65,000 to safeguard vital services for neurodiverse children and their families in 2025.
HSC says the grant will allow Autism Guernsey to work on a business plan to regain its financial independence for the following year.
It comes after Children in Need UK announced it would not renew the grant it has been providing the local charity over the past eight years.
The charity had said it would have to stop its services for children this December, after the rejection of its application for renewed funding which in previous years had topped £100,000.
That news was not well received with some of the families benefiting from the services starting to fundraise to try and safeguard their futures.
However, the States of Guernsey says it values the work of the voluntary sector and is collaborating to identify potential partnerships that could improve service delivery and outcomes for the community in the long term.
Pictured: Three charities receive Children in Need funding in Guernsey, with Autism Guernsey previously receiving £100,000.
For now, the £65,000 grant will keep services running in the immediate short term, said David Harry, the Chairman of Autism Guernsey.
“Autism Guernsey is grateful for the support from the Committee for Health & Social Care. This provides the funding we need for 2025 to ensure we can continue to make a positive difference to those with autism and their families.
“We will take this opportunity to develop, in partnership with the Committee for Health & Social Care, a sustainable plan to put the charity on a more secure financial footing going forwards.”
Meanwhile the President of Health and Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard, said his team just couldn't let Autism Guernsey fold.
“The impact of Autism Guernsey needing to reduce or withdraw services would be felt by those that most need it, leading to increased demand on health and social care services with added cost overall. We are hopeful this one-off grant will help give the charity time to get on a steady footing for future years to ensure the vital service it provides to the community can long continue.”
His predecessor, and current Vice President of Policy and Resources, Deputy Heidi Soulsby added: “ It is well understood that there is increasing demand for support across the spectrum of services delivered in health and care, and the services offered by charities plays a crucial role in meeting that demand.
“Where there is an opportunity to commission services through the voluntary sector which will deliver value for money and better outcomes for the community, we are keen to put such arrangements in place.”
New Chairman for Autism Guernsey
Autism Guernsey backed by Community Foundation
Fundraiser launched for Autism Guernsey
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.