Chair’s review for 2023
As is always the case, underpinning all our work is our constant pledge to support charitable organisations which help people, especially those who are disadvantaged, supporting them as they help islanders play a fuller role within their local communities throughout the Channel Islands. Our funding and support are an investment to enable these charities to make a real difference to the lives of local people.
In 2023 we are proud to record that we provided funding of £798,873 (2022: £686,214, including cost of living grant of £61,375).
Grants totalling £781,421 to the following charities:
Autism Guernsey, Bright Beginnings, Carers Guernsey, Guernsey Bereavement Service, GROW, Mill Street Community Café.
Beresford Street Kitchen, Brighter Futures, Brightly, Caring Cooks, Caritas Jersey, Every Child Our Future, Family Meditation Jersey, FREEDA, Jersey Eating Disorders Support, Jersey Employment Trust, Sanctuary Trust.
The Foundation provided the following additional funding; –
Matched giving to colleague chosen charities of £10,221 (2022: £11,988).
Lived experience leadership programme at a cost of £7,231 (2022: nil).
We continue to be incredibly proud and privileged to be able to provide funding year after year, thanks to the generosity of the covenant from Lloyds Banking Group (LBG). We operate with complete independence from LBG but benefit from our strategic partnership, where we are so fortunate for the support we receive at Group level as well as through our local bank colleagues. The support given through colleagues volunteering their time, skills and expertise is threefold: for the Foundation itself, the charities we fund and support, and our events throughout the year.
The Foundation’s unique offer of developmental support including our mentoring programme, charity response forums, the skills exchange, and training and events are ongoing and well used. We have mentoring relationships with 11 charities to really maximise impact beyond pure funding. A real demonstration of the benefit of funds with appropriate support to maximise impact. There is a renewed commitment from the Foundation, hand in hand with LBG, to maintain and continue to offer this unique support programme into 2024 and beyond.
Building on the successful end of year evening receptions in both islands in 2022, we repeated them in 2023. Once again this enabled us to showcase the work of a charity in each island. The purpose of this is not only to remind the community and charities of the funding and support available from the Foundation but also, most importantly, to really show how having a mentor from the Bank working alongside a charity leader helps to strengthen an organisation, making a real difference to the people they support. We are always delighted to celebrate the incredible work of our partner charities and to share this with other local charities, Foundation trustees, Lloyds Bank colleagues, local politicians, and other funders, encouraging interaction, sharing learning and networking. I would like to recognise and thank GROW in Guernsey and Jersey Recovery College and our bank colleague mentors for demonstrating their outstanding work.
As announced in last year’s review, 2023 was the second year where the annual seminars focussed on the topic of Lived Experience and from them, we launched our Lived Experience leadership pilot programme, inviting a number of charities across the islands to work together to bring Lived Experience into the heart of their organisation. This programme is being delivered face to face and online, and the co-production and partnership learning has been exceptional. Once again, we are indebted to Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Engagement at the Prison Reform Trust for her help in co-designing and delivering the programme with us, as well as the other speakers from charities in the UK and Channel Islands. I would also like to extend thanks to the charities from both Guernsey and Jersey who have also contributed to sessions across the year. This programme will run through until June 2024.
Collaboration and co-production will continue to be a focus for much of the Foundation’s ambitions and work this year. We believe that a shared vision of supporting those in greatest need is key to everything we do. We already know that by supporting those charities best placed to deliver that need, is the most effective way of achieving this. We will carry on working with all parties in this space – politicians, charities and fellow funders across the islands as the best way forward.
Through our communications during 2024, you will see the Foundation maintaining awareness of our aims and highlighting the incredible work being done in our islands. We especially want to celebrate how support from the Foundation has enabled those at the front line to do what they do best. We will always strive to partner with those who make the real difference and where the need is greatest.
I must acknowledge the contribution, passion and professionalism of our Executive Director, Jo Le Poidevin who remains the very heart of the Foundation, guiding the Board in our decision-making and continuing to be a crucial link between the charities and the Board. As our sole employee she handles everything at the Foundation with enormous skill, and I thank her on behalf of myself and the Board of Trustees. I also recognise the hard work of the Board with thanks to them, to those departing and a welcome to our new trustees who all share the Foundation’s passion and vision. A special welcome to the Foundation for Adele Bohlin, Island Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lloyds Bank International who joins the board as one of our bank Trustees. We are delighted to harness her energy and commitment to the charitable sector in our islands.
It promises to be another busy year as our incredible charities in both the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey will be working tirelessly to make people’s lives better in an environment where funds and resources are stretched, and charities are having to take on more. Supporting these organisations with funding and developmental support, celebrating their extraordinary work and highlighting the challenges and value of our incredible charity sector will be a large part of our priorities into 2024.
Philippa Stahelin
Chair of Trustees
21 March 2024