Charity awarded funding for 'crucial services'

Deputy Al Brouard, president of the Committee for Health and Social Care, said it was essential the services provided by Autism Guernsey were protected

A Guernsey charity has been awarded a one-off grant to help secure its future.

The Committee for Health and Social Care has agreed to provide Autism Guernsey £65,000 to protect important services, particularly those for neurodiverse children.

The charity said it had been working closely with the committee to provide support for people with autism and their families.

The States of Guernsey said the money would provide Autism Guernsey with time to work on a business plan to return to financial independence from 2026 onwards.

President of the committee, Deputy Al Brouard, said: "Autism Guernsey provides a very valuable service to our community and the committee was concerned to hear of the financial challenges impacting the charity.

"While committee finances are tight, it is important that Autism Guernsey is properly supported for the next year.

"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."

The charity had previously been supported by BBC Children in Need for eight years, but its application for funding beyond this year was rejected.

David Harry, chair of Autism Guernsey, said he was "very grateful" for the grant.

He said Autism Guernsey would be matching the grant so there would be £130,000 next year.

"It's full steam ahead for 2025," he said.

"One of the things that autistic children suffer from is not having that degree of regularity so we have been very pleased to say we are back in business."