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Beano inspired fun and mischief at the Jersey Festival of Words

Fifty children from Samarès Primary School took part in a celebration of the world’s longest-running weekly comic at the Jersey Festival of Words thanks to the help of JT.

Beano Mega-Mischief, an interactive fun event will took place on Saturday 23rd September. The comic, famous for its cheeky and fun-loving characters such as Dennis the Menace, his faithful hound Gnasher and Minnie the Minx, is celebrating 85 years of rebellious fun and laughter.

The festival organisers successfully applied for funding from JT’s Community Giving scheme the company’s funding and support partnership, to enable 50 children to experience the unique opportunity to meet Beano editors Craig Graham and Mike Stirling and take a behind-the-scenes tour of Beanotown’s greatest secrets.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market at JT, said: “As a mum of two, I’m really supportive of the benefits of reading from an early age, it sparks imagination, encourages creativity and really helps develop communication skills and confidence. We set up JT Community Giving to help good causes that not only give back to our local community but help us nurture and grow it and that’s exactly what this event did. I hope the children had a lot of fun and have been inspired to keep enjoying reading and writing.”

The festival worked with educational charity Every Child Our Future whose aim is to give children a better chance of succeeding by focusing on literacy, numeracy and early years communication, to select the 50 children. In addition to a free ticket to the event, each child was given the Beano’s latest boomic – a cross between a book and comic – Dennis and Gnasher: Little Menace’s Great Escape.

Festival Director, Pippa le Quesne, added: “It is not just about getting children to read books, but also to enjoy them, and we find that children who get a book after being at an event are far more likely to read it. That’s why we decided to apply to JT Community Giving because it helps children who wouldn’t normally have access to events like this. The process was easy, and we can’t thank JT and our other sponsors enough for their support”

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JT – First in Channel Islands to Switch on Renewable Energy

JT has become the first business in the Channel Islands to transition to renewable energy by entering into a commercial supply agreement with Guernsey Electricity. This means that 100% of the company’s electricity consumption in Guernsey, being 25% of the telco’s total Channel Island consumption, is supported by ‘Guarantees of Origin (GoO’s).

GoO’s are recognised in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 guidance and enable companies without access to renewable energy infrastructure to claim market-based renewable energy usage. A GoO certifies that an amount of energy received was replaced by a renewable equivalent

JT’s electricity consumption includes powering its Data Centres, Fixed and Mobile networks, and its various buildings in the Bailiwick, including the St Peter Port shop.

The firm has committed to be neutral in its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, and utilising renewable GoOs is just one pillar of its broader sustainability strategy to ultimately reduce emissions through reduced energy consumption and investment in energy-efficient technologies.

Gill Knights, JT Head of Sustainability and JT Group Counsel, has led the firm’s switch to renewable energy. She commented: “Since publishing our sustainability strategy in 2021, we have been focused on understanding the drivers of our emissions so we can target them as part of a structured, science-based reduction roadmap.

“The switch to 100% renewable energy in Guernsey is a tangible step towards our 2023 targets. We recognise that we have a long way to go and many challenges to overcome, but we are passionate about our journey to net zero and are excited to lead the way in the Channel Islands.

“We hope that our progress will inspire other companies to explore ways to drive sustainability and address their environmental impact.”

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Transformation and innovation is not a choice, it’s a necessity

When we announced a few months ago that we had formed a partnership with Ericsson, it signalled the beginning of the next stage of substantial investment and transformation in our mobile and fixed line networks across the Channel Islands.

The speed of technological change is constantly accelerating, with new capabilities being rolled out faster every year, it’s important that we keep pace with change and are ready to meet the demands of our customers. Marcus Irwin, Head of Product Innovation, talks to Connect Magazine about our being more than just a telecoms provider, and how today, we are an integral part of the digital transformation era.

Read here >

The Jersey branch of the NSPCC, a leading safeguarding charity which prevents cruelty to children in the Island
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Children and Young People’s creative safe space restored

Local children and Young People are able to access new resources in creative therapeutic sessions to help process and express their emotions, thanks to support from JT Community Giving.

The Jersey branch of the NSPCC, a leading safeguarding charity which prevents cruelty to children in the Island, has successfully applied for funds from JT to replenish their depleted stock of materials used in their “Letting The Future In” therapy sessions.

JT Community Giving provides financial support for not-for-profit organisations, charities, schools and registered community groups in Jersey.

The creative nature of NSPCC Jersey’s “Letting The Future In” therapeutic sessions, involving activities like art, messy-play, storytelling and writing, help children accessing this service with NSPCC Jersey to recover from the impact of abuse. Thanks to this funding, they have been able to purchase much-needed paints, journals, scrapbooks, sand trays and stress balls. They also acquired the materials to make ‘mindful glitter jars’, which is a visible demonstration for the children to reassure them that chaos will eventually settle into stillness.

Rebecca Stanier, Fundraiser NSPCC Jersey, said: “At NSPCC Jersey, our main aim is to provide services which meet the needs of local children. Last year, we reached 457 children and parents/carers with our services.

Our small team of social workers and practitioners work with children aged between 4 and 17 years old, as well as their siblings and parents/carers, from our home on Stopford Road. These art materials go a long way to supporting children who are recovering from the impact of sexual abuse. Where they find it hard to share their experience in words, our creative and safe therapeutic space and explorative sessions provide a means for them to communicate in a way that’s appropriate for their age, needs and ability. We’re so grateful to JT for this donation, it’s a simple but extremely effective way to help and support young children.”

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market at JT, added: “We were greatly moved by NSPCC Jersey’s application to JT Community Giving. The profoundly positive impact their creative therapeutic service has on the recovery of these vulnerable children and young people is extraordinary and we are delighted to have been able to contribute towards their healing process with this donation. NSPCC Jersey carries out vital work in our community and it means a lot to all of us at JT that we can assist them in continuing to support those that need it.”

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Game-changing tech

Communicating is so easy these days, but doing it well needs constant focus, investment and adjustment. In the latest edition of Business Brief, JT’s CEO, Daragh McDermott, talks about JT’s recent signing of a contract with Ericsson to install the next generation networks that will provide mobile and fixed line services, setting JT’s network strategy in place for decades. As well as offering improved speeds and security, the network modernisation will bring improvements to voice quality on mobile calls, more bandwidth for mobile users and improved coverage. The program will also enable future 5G and technology ambitions in the Channel Islands.

Islands to be met. Meriel Lenfestey, Chair of JT said ‘Like Ericsson, we have for over a century been connecting people, evolving and learning all the time, keeping our customers, their needs and how we deliver them at the forefront of everything we do. This is an exciting prospect for our islands, it is almost impossible to comprehend the breadth of capabilities it will bring, long into the future.’

Read the full story here

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Tech talent finds a welcome home at JT

Nurturing new talent and ensuring JT is a great place to work for them, is at the very heart of our business strategy. Riley Aslett, began as an intern with JT having signed up to Digital Greenhouse’s intern programme. After an impressive six-weeks Riley was awarded a JT Bursary by her JT mentors, and she has been a key team member ever since. Committed and interested young people like Riley represent the future of digital technology and we are privileged to have the opportunity to share our knowledge with her and watch how it has helped with her studies and her chosen career path.

As Riley is about to embark on the JT Post Graduate scheme, read about where her journey began.

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JT supports Macmillan Jersey’s first ever wellbeing retreat

A day dedicated to Rest, Relaxation and Restoration is being planned for islanders living with and recovering from cancer. The Macmillan Jersey Wellbeing Retreat will be held in the tranquil surroundings of Chateau Vermont next month thanks to the support of JT.

On Saturday, the 26th August, a team of wellness practitioners will be coming together to create a calming, peaceful environment where participants will have the opportunity to take part in activities such as yoga, meditation, Pilates, breathwork and sound healing therapy. The therapies are all designed to restore natural balance and a sense of wellbeing. There will also be healthy food options throughout the day.

Kate Fitzpatrick, Cancer Support and Wellbeing practitioner, said: “Wellness plays a fundamental role in cancer treatment and recovery and our wellness retreat is all about restoring energy and reviving the spirit. Having a cancer diagnosis is challenging and stressful and impacts all areas of a patient’s life. We hope that the retreat will provide a day where patients will feel supported, less alone and go home feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. We want the retreat to become an annual event for our cancer patients.”

Macmillan Jersey applied for funding from JT Community Giving to help towards the cost of the event. It was one of thirty successful bids during the second round of applications. JT launched its funding and support partnership in late 2022, with the aim of helping as many not-for-profit organisations, schools and community groups as they could, be that through funding, a raffle prize or through some tech support.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market at JT, added: “In small communities such as ours, the chances are that most of us know someone affected by cancer, which is why a wellbeing day dedicated to people living with or recovering from the illness sounded like the perfect way to find some precious time out to re-charge. When our friends at Macmillan Jersey applied for our support, we knew that the day would be something special, gathering the best local practitioners to focus on physical and emotional well-being. It’s our hope that our small contribution will go a long way, in providing an exceptional day for some of those who need it the most.”

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Artistic creativity continues to flow with JT donation

Liberate Art Club, a thriving creative initiative that aims to combat isolation and loneliness in the community, is the latest Guernsey charity to benefit from JT’s Community Giving Scheme.

Liberate will use the donation to purchase resources to make its art sessions as accessible and inclusive as possible as it fosters creativity and supports personal growth among its diverse and growing membership.

Participants, ranging from 18 to 82 years of age, come from various walks of life. The club’s mission is to ensure that no barriers stand in the way of artistic expression and creative camaraderie.

‘We offer these creative activities free of charge as we understand the financial challenges many of our attendees face due to factors like disability or single-parent status, so we rely on the generosity of local companies like JT, said Joni Nettleship, Liberate Art Club Co-Founder.

‘This donation will fund items like large knitting needles, tabletop easels, magnifying glasses and noise cancelling headphones which will help to make the sessions accessible and even more inclusive.’

The sessions cover various creative techniques, from painting, knitting, and drawing to watercolour painting, printing, and weaving. With a commitment to sustainability, Liberate Art Club implements eco-friendly practices by reusing and recycling materials, including drawing on cardboard and creating collages and wreaths from scrap papers, charity shop fabrics, and donated items.

JT Community Giving aims to help local projects and initiatives by offering them the opportunity to apply for funding, devices, subscriptions, technical support, or even hands-on help from JT’s many willing volunteers.

Kate Marshall, JT’s Head of Guernsey Enterprise said: ‘We applaud Liberate’s approach to connecting people through creativity. The art classes bring different people together from across the community for mutual support and it’s clear from how the class has grown that people enjoy the opportunity to express themselves through art.

‘JT is very supportive of any activity that takes an inclusive approach, and we’re delighted to see funding from our Community Giving Scheme go to such an accessible and also sustainable initiative.’

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JT Tech Donation Connects Islanders to Health Connections

Guernsey’s Health Connections charity is the latest beneficiary of JT’s Community Giving Scheme.

JT has donated three digital display screens to Health Connections to help the charity promote its mission to enable everyone in the Bailiwick of Guernsey to be connected to available support and up to date information that enables them to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Health Connections will also use the screens to promote and run its free Community Connector training sessions, which are delivered each month in the CONNECT space in their Smith Street shop.

The screens will also be used to teach people how to make the most of the charity’s online directory, so that they can find the support that matters to them or a loved one.

Bella Farrell, CEO and Director of Health Connections, said: ‘We are committed to working with and promoting our directory partners to everyone in the community and these screens are an important resource to enable our work.

‘Like JT, we believe in connecting people and technology is a powerful tool to inform islanders about services that can improve their health and wellbeing, especially for those that are not so digitally adept.

‘We are very grateful to the JT Community Giving scheme for this donation, it’s enabled us to showcase our community partners and the support they provide islanders much more easily using our shop locations in town’

JT Community Giving aims to help local projects and initiatives by offering them the opportunity to apply for funding, devices, subscriptions, technical support, or even hands-on help from some of JT’s many willing volunteers.

Kate Marshall, JT’s Head of Guernsey Enterprise said: ‘Making a difference and a positive contribution to the community we live and work in, is very important to every one of us at JT.

‘As a digital company, we are delighted to be able to help a local charity to widen their reach by providing the technology needed to teach people about all the amazing support services there are available to them in Guernsey.’

The Community Giving scheme is open to all registered charities, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands that meet at least one of four criteria: community support, digital inclusivity, raising awareness of mental and physical health and wellbeing, and environmental improvement.

Applications and more information can be found here: https://www.jtglobal.com/jersey/more-ci-charities-to-benefit-from-the-new-jt-community-giving-scheme/.

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JT and Ericsson partner to build next generation mobile network

Ericsson, a world leader in future-proof, scalable network architecture, has been chosen by JT to install the next generation networks that will provide mobile and fixed line services. The investment, which is being made by JT, keeps pace with the rapidly changing world of communications technology, giving customers across the Channel Islands access to the services and products of the future.

This is an exciting prospect for our islands, and much like when the project to install fibre began, it is almost impossible to comprehend the breadth of capabilities it will bring to the Channel Islands, long into the future.

Daragh McDermott, CEO of JT Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a well-known and respected company. Communications technology never stands still, it’s a rapidly changing environment but as with the roll out of fibre, we need to stay ahead of the game and this programme will provide the transformation and leap in technology now required to meet the future demands of businesses and consumers.”

JT and Ericsson signed the contract, which includes mobile network modernisation and upgrades to JT’s CORE, Radio Access Network (RAN) and Managed Services networks, at an official ceremony at Digital Jersey yesterday evening. The project will begin this year and includes Ericsson’s future-proof and scalable Mobile Transport solutions, data-driven Network Management Services and the latest energy efficient products and technologies as part of a sustainable network evolution. As well as offering improved speeds and security, the network modernisation will bring improvements to voice quality on mobile calls, more bandwidth for mobile users and improved coverage. The program will enable future 5G and technology ambitions in the Channel Islands to be met.

Katherine Ainley, Chief Executive of Ericsson UK and Ireland added: “Ericsson and JT share the same passion and vision for next-generation connectivity to create new possibilities for people, businesses and society. We are excited to be building the network of the future for the Channel Islands; this will deliver leading connectivity and create a platform of innovation that will power new consumer and enterprise services, advance the digitalization of industries and boost future economic growth.”

Kirsten Morel, Deputy Chief Minister of Jersey and Minister for Economic Development, added: “Digital infrastructure plays an incredibly important role in our society, with communication technologies helping to address social, environmental, and economic challenges all across the world. Not only do we want islanders to have the most reliable and fastest internet possible, but we also want them to be able to access the services that new technology can provide. This investment in the next generation network by JT will do just that.”