Recently, more than 50 Guernsey charities gathered at the Swallow Pavilion at La Vallette to mark the first anniversary of JT Community Giving, established by the technology company a year ago to support local projects and initiatives.
This was an opportunity for the charities to learn more about JT Community Giving and how to apply for funding, digital devices, subscriptions, technical support, or hands-on assistance from some of JT’s many volunteers.
It was a unique gathering of the exceptional people who selflessly give their time to others – an opportunity for them to share not only the ways they’ve benefited from JT Community Giving donations but also their personal stories. This special event served as a platform for making friends and establishing new partnerships, creating an even stronger and supportive community network.
Aaron Davies, Childrens Service Manager from Action for Children explained: ‘‘We successfully applied to the JT Community Giving scheme and got approval for mobile phones to help young islanders facing homelessness. This allows them to keep in touch with us and other community services they might need. The application was straightforward, and the donation makes a big difference to our team and the young people, who can now be reached at any time and can reach out for help whenever they need it.’’
There were five JT team members on hand at the event to explain the application process and give examples of donations and support that some of the 120 charities across the Channel Islands have benefitted from since the scheme began a year ago, attracting over a dozen new requests solely from this event.
Kat Gillespie from King George V (KGV) playing fields and Community Centre added: ‘‘We went to the JT Community Giving event to see what kind of support we could get, like many other charities, we struggle with raising awareness and funds. The event was great because we met many others facing the same challenges. The JT team were very helpful and friendly, and we were surprised to learn how straightforward the application process was. Now that we know, we’ve filled out our first application, asking for a raffle prize for our big Euros prize draw.’’
Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets at JT Group said: ‘’As a local business it’s always been important to us that we give back to our community. It was a real pleasure for me to meet the people behind these charities and hear firsthand about the amazing work they do. These groups serve as the bedrock for a strong support network across our island, offering essential support to families who would be lost without them. The continued success of our scheme is a testament to the collective strength found in these grassroots initiatives, and by continuing to support these vital organisations, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our fellow islanders. Together, we contribute to the overall well-being of our community, promoting inclusivity and interconnection for all.”
