Charities not coping with demands, survey says

A total of 90% of 57 charities say it is harder to deliver services in 2023 compared to 2022

Charities in Jersey have said they cannot cope with the demand for their services due to financial pressures.

The Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) published a survey of its members about the issues they have been dealing with.

A total of 57 charities responded, with nearly 90% saying it was harder to work and deliver services in 2023 compared to 2022.

More than half said they had seen a decrease in fundraising over the past 12 months, but an increase in demand for their services.

Beth Gallichan, AJC chied executive, said the sector was currently "unsustainable".

She said: "Driven by the cost-of-living crisis, they are experiencing the triple whammy of a rise in demand for their services, a decline in fundraising income with people finding it hard to donate, and an increase in their own operational costs.

“The result is an unsustainable position, and we are already seeing charities making difficult decisions about reducing services.

"For an island where charities play such a critical role, that would be devastating for our local communities who rely so much on them."

'Trust in charities'

A third of the charities surveyed said they had had to scale back activities, and two thirds said they had already used reserves for 2024 to meet increased costs.

Ms Gallichan said the sector depended on "islanders' generosity".

She said: "We have endured a series of community tragedies and anticipate that as inequality and poverty continue to affect more people, those that rely on charities will multiply.

“We must put our trust in charities, powered by dedicated staff, volunteers, funders and donors, all their activities are for public benefit."