Parishes helping fund clothes and children's bikes

Parish leaders say work is under way to help more families

Rising numbers of people in Jersey who are struggling to make ends meet are approaching parishes for help in getting items besides food, a senior politician says.

The Constable of St Peter, Richard Vibert, also Jersey's Minister for Children, said parish authorities were filling a gap in the welfare system.

In January 2008, Income Support replaced many benefits, some of which were paid through States' departments, as well as the parish welfare system.

The minister for social security Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said it was a situation she would need to take "incredibly seriously".

Richard Vibert says many people who need help may not be receiving it

Vibert said parishes were seeing evidence of a cost of living crisis, and St Peter had paid out more in support from parish funds in the last two years than in the previous 10.

"I have no doubt about that crisis," he said.

"It’s not just people who can’t afford food; it’s carpets, help getting a second-hand bike for a child, and clothes and shoes."

The parish has set up a group involving charities and the Rector of the parish to help identify more families in need, he said.

"For every one that comes to us, there will be nine others who have not," said Vibert.

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said it was important she worked in partnership with Constables

Ms Feltham said: “I think this situation is one that I need to take incredibly seriously.

“I think it's really important that I work in partnership with Constables to understand the situations that families that are coming to them are in.

“It may well be that some families aren't going to customer and local services to seek the support they are entitled to."