Event showcases help for islanders
- Published
Dozens of people attended an event in Jersey to show how charities and organisations are working together to help more people in the island.
Embrace of Difference was organised by the government to promote more collaboration between different groups.
The event was held at the Radisson Hotel and there were speeches from charities EYECAN, Jersey Mencap, and AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey.
It also focused on what could be done to make the island more inclusive.
Matt and Rachel have learning difficulties and are supported by Jersey Mencap and have been able to be more active through programmes provided by Jersey Sport.
Matt said “it feels very awesome to play sports” and “I like doing a load of stuff that I wouldn’t normally be able to do”.
Rachel said being active had helped with her confidence and added “it helps me feel like I can face more challenges”.
The sight-loss charity, EYECAN, showed how it had worked with developer Andium Homes to make properties more accessible.
Mark Coxshall from the charity said “there was very much a can-do attitude” and “shady pavements can be quite misleading for people with sight problems”.
Jenny Stafford has lost almost all her sight and is on the committee of EYECAN.
She said “this is very important for the people living in the buildings” and “it hasn’t always been this way but this is a baby step in the right direction”.
The neurodiverse charity, AllMatters Neurodiverse Jersey, has been working with Ports of Jersey on improving service at the airport and the harbour.
Co-founders of the charity, Niamh McDermott and Penny Chapman, told those at the event how successful the collaboration had been.
Ms Chapman said “one of the best things is that Ports came to us” and “they have embraced neurodiversity and our community”.
Ms McDermott added “it is the small little things that make a big difference” and “Penny has been up to do training at the airport and the next stage is to do that training at the harbour too”.
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