On Tuesday 15 July, over 50 third sector leaders and stakeholders gathered at the National Trust Jersey Café at Greve de Lecq for the successful launch of the Jersey Community Foundation (JCF)’s Health & Social Care Charities Impact Accelerator Programme. The event marked a significant step forward in building a more resilient, strategic, and data-driven charitable sector in Jersey.
The new programme, developed by the JCF with support from PwC Channel Islands, brings together 15 leading health and social care charities for a collaborative initiative aimed at creating a shared strategic narrative, strengthening the evidence base for social impact and enabling charities to make a compelling case for sustainable funding.
The morning began with a scene-setting session that examined the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) facing Jersey’s health and social care charities. This was followed by a focused workshop to identify a shared vision and set of goals for the sector.
“This programme is about equipping Jersey’s charities with the tools and confidence to articulate their value in strategic, measurable terms to support programming and provide a basis for attracting future and longer-term funding” said Ali Cambray from PwC Channel Islands. “By embracing a data-driven mindset and by sharing resources and a vision for the sector, we believe this group of charities can help shape a stronger, more resilient future for social care in Jersey.”
Charities taking part in the accelerator include Mind Jersey, Les Amis, Dementia Jersey, Family Nursing and Home Care, Brighter Futures, FREEDA and Enable Jersey, among others.
Meeting Urgent Challenges with Collaborative Solutions
The programme directly addresses mounting pressures on the third sector, including:
· Rising demand due to an ageing population
· Limited and short-term public funding
· Inconsistent measurement of impact and value
· The need for improved collaboration and visibility across organisations
“This was an energising and motivating day,” said Rosemarie Finley, CEO of Family Nursing and Home Care. “The opportunity to come together, share insights and agree a common vision reminded us all that while we are individual charities, we’re also part of a broader movement. With the right support and evidence base, we stand in much better stead to secure the funding needed to meet Jersey’s growing care.
Building on Sector-Wide Foundations
The Impact Accelerator follows the publication of the Value of the Third Sector Report in 2024, which revealed that Jersey’s charitable sector contributes over £230 million annually to the local economy, employs 3,400 people (12% of the Island’s workforce), and mobilises 5,800+ volunteers. Despite this, nearly 37% of charities report operating with less than three months' reserves, making financial sustainability a top priority.
The Accelerator Programme reflects international best practice, echoing the success of initiatives such as Skills for Care 2024 in the UK, which demonstrated a £2.40 return on every £1 invested in adult social care.
By the end of the programme, participating charities aim to have:
· A unified strategic narrative for the sector
· Clear, data-backed evidence of social and economic impact
· A shared set of goals to inform future funding models and policy decisions
A Stronger Future for Jersey’s Third Sector
This initiative is a key part of Jersey Community Foundation’s broader ambition to strengthen the third sector’s credibility and financial resilience. By investing in collaborative leadership and impact measurement, JCF and its partners are helping local charities not only survive but thrive in the face of future challenges.
Anna Terry, CEO of JCF, commented “This programme is all about supporting Jersey’s health and social care charities to better communicate the real impact they are having on our community – not just in terms of outcomes, but in the vital role they play in improving lives every day. By helping charities articulate their value more clearly and encouraging collaboration across the sector, we’re laying the groundwork for more sustainable long-term funding – both from private donors and government”.
Further updates on the progress of the Accelerator Programme will be shared later this year, with the insights used to shape future grant-making, investment and public policy.