Youth Projects At Risk Without More Volunteers

Some of Jersey's services for young people could be at risk unless more islanders come forward to help run them.

Jersey Youth Service says volunteer numbers have dropped by more than three quarters since the Covid-19 pandemic.

A range of projects across the island provide somewhere to go, something to do, or someone to talk to for hundreds of 9 to 25 year olds.

But the Youth Service says it urgently need more volunteers if that is to continue.

It has gone from having more than 100 helpers pre-pandemic to around 25.

Projects run by the service include parish and community youth clubs, the Mytime project for young carers, the Youth Inclusion Project and the Multilingual Young People Project.

Mark Capern, Interim Associate Director of Young People’s Service’s, says the need for more volunteers is 'urgent'.

"We’re very grateful for the volunteers we have but in order to keep running the way we do, we need more people to come forward.

“Please consider coming forward to continue offering the same high level of service that Jersey’s young people deserves.”

He is appealing for over 18s with two or more hours a week to spare to come forward and get involved.

JYS is also looking for more sessional youth workers on zero-hour contracts who can help deliver weekly youth work sessions.

Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner hopes people will get involved to safeguard the future of these services.

“The challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic have meant that the number of available volunteers for the Jersey Youth Service has dropped significantly. This is presenting some challenges for the service continuing providing the same variety of Youth Projects that are currently available.

Volunteering is a wonderful way for all of us to give back to our local community and I would urge Islanders to get involved with the Jersey Youth Service if they are able.”

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