A workshop to provide members of the voluntary and community sector with the opportunity to determine how they could work more effectively with the States of Jersey has identified a number of opportunities to improve outcomes for islanders.
The workshop identified five priority issues affecting the relationship between the voluntary and community sector and the States of Jersey including:
- communication
- information sharing
- co-ordination
- decision making
- funding
The half-day workshop held at the St. Paul’s Centre on 26 September attracted over 80 representatives of organisations and individuals working within the sector including: the Association of Jersey Charities, the Jersey Employment Trust, the Rotary Club of Jersey, Jersey Hospice Care, Brighter Futures, Family Nursing and Home Care, Jersey Disability Partnership, Durrell and the Jersey Community Partnership.
Ivo Le Maistre Smith, Deputy Chairman, Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) said: "As the body representing over 300 charitable organisations in Jersey, the AJC is committed to championing the calls from the Third Sector for better partnership working and a reduction in bureaucracy. We welcome the opportunity to continue to work with the States of Jersey to deliver real improvements to charities and voluntary groups in Jersey and to the Island as a whole."
Rachel French, Chief Executive of Jersey Community Partnership said: “Amongst the challenges faced by the charity sector is our relationship with the States of Jersey. Improving the ways in which we work, communicate and share resources with each other will be of great benefit to all parties, not least those who depend on the services provided by our charities. I am pleased to see the results of the workshop held in September which highlights those areas which many felt should be solved first. Our focus will now turn to how we can develop these in to action.”
Sean McGonigle, Director of Local Services, States of Jersey said: “The breadth and quality of the voluntary and community sector in Jersey is a huge asset. The workshop provided some great ideas about how the relationship between the sector and the States of Jersey can be strengthened and I look forward to working with individuals and groups across the sector to deliver the ideas that have emerged from the workshop.”
A summary report from the workshop has been shared with those who attended the event and will be distributed more widely across the sector. A draft action plan is expected to go out for consultation in January 2019.
States of Jersey Press Release.