Did you know that “Caring for an Ageing Population” is one of Jersey Community Foundation’s five funding priorities?
Jersey, like many jurisdictions, is experiencing a significant demographic shift. Our population is getting older, and this change brings both opportunities and challenges for the Island’s communities and services.
In the ten years to 2021, the proportion of Jersey residents aged 65 and over increased from 14.8% to 18.1%, and projections suggest that the number of Islanders aged over 65 could rise by around one third by 2040. At the same time, the number of younger people is falling: the number of residents aged over 64 increased by 12% between 2019 and 2024, while the proportion of children declined.
These trends have important implications for the Island. As people live longer, demand for health, wellbeing and community support services grows. By the age of 65, more than half of Islanders live with at least one long‑term health condition, and by 85 many people are managing multiple conditions. Alongside this, many older Islanders face wider challenges such as social isolation, financial pressure and housing concerns.
Supporting Older Islanders
In recent years, Jersey Community Foundation (JCF) has supported a range of projects focused on improving wellbeing and social connection for older Islanders. These include Art in the Frame’s “Never Too Old Club”, which brings older people together through creative activities; Laugh Move and Groove, which delivers gentle exercise sessions in care homes; and Boxd Off, a seated boxing programme designed to improve mobility and confidence. JCF has also supported Mind Jersey’s Over 65s Peer Support Network, helping older Islanders connect with others in a safe and welcoming environment.
A Priority Area Identified
Caring for an ageing population is one of the areas identified in Jersey Community Foundation’s Needs Assessment, which highlighted the growing importance of supporting older Islanders. Many charities across Jersey are doing exceptional work to support older people, helping them remain independent, connected and active within their communities. Increasingly, there is recognition that preventative support — helping people stay well and independent for longer — can make a major difference to quality of life while reducing longer‑term pressure on public services.
However, despite clear demographic trends, this is one of the areas where we receive the fewest funding applications. We know that many organisations across Jersey are working with older people in ways that make a real difference to their lives — but may not always see their work as fitting within this funding priority.
Are You Supporting Older Islanders?
If your organisation is working with older people in Jersey, whether through health support, community programmes, social connection or preventative services, you may be eligible to apply for funding through the Jersey Community Fund. We are particularly interested in projects that improve quality of life for older Islanders, help people remain independent for longer, reduce isolation, strengthen community connections, support preventative health and wellbeing, and respond to the changing needs of an ageing population.
As Jersey’s demographics continue to evolve, supporting older members of our community will become increasingly important. If your organisation is working in this space, or planning a project that could make a meaningful difference, we encourage you to get in touch with the Jersey Community Foundation team to discuss potential funding opportunities.
If you'd like to discuss a project that could make a meaningful difference, we’d like to hear from you. Talk to our Grants Team about your project to explore potential funding opportunities.
For all Grant/Funding enquiries - grants@jerseycommunityfoundation.org