Covid-19 has had a significant impact the mental health of our community and a further lockdown over the winter will cause further deterioration on people’s wellbeing.

JRC have identified a significant local need to address how workplaces manage mental health. Two-thirds of people with a mental health difficulty say that work either caused or exacerbated their poor mental health and their research shows that 80% of local businesses have no mental health strategy or policy in place to support the mental health of their employees.

As a result of Covid-19, The Shelter Trust needed to increase their capacity to cope with the surge in demand they experienced earlier in the year. They quickly adapted and provided extra bed spaces at two additional sites.

Funding has been provided by the Jersey Community Foundation to continue the provision of the extra capacity bed spaces and will cover staffed accommodation, food, support and a way forward for Covid-19 related homeless people.

JET internships are for clients who are motivated to work and who have already successfully completed a period of unpaid work experience with an employer. They particularly suit clients who have mental health issues or who are on the autism spectrum, as it allows them time to settle in and prove themselves.

As a direct response to the impact of Covid-19 Macmillan Jersey launched a new community support service to provide home visits to people with cancer and their families.

This new service will enable Macmillan Jersey to provide emotional support and practical advice to cancer patients (and their families) who are still shielding due to being on treatment, recently completed treatment or recovering from surgery, or those who are in the high-risk category. This service will be offered to people in gardens/outdoor space where possible or inside people’s homes. The service will also provide outreach support to other community providers such as Jersey Hospice Care and nursing homes. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed when supporting people in the community home visits.

The Grace Trust have seen a marked increase in their foodbank use since they reopened their foodbank in September this year. 141% more bags of food were given out this September than last September and they have seen 53.7% more people. Their Monthly Grocery Distribution Project continues to be a lifeline for many families and even more so in these times. As we deal with the aftermath of Covid-19 these two projects will continue to be in much demand. Providing a foodbank for those who simply cannot make ends meet has been a way of assisting many in our community.