Jersey care charities 'vital' for support - nurse
BBCHealth and social care charities have been described as "vital" for the island by a senior nurse providing support.
Kathryn Kelly from Family Nursing and Home Care (FNHC) made the comment as her work was praised by recipients of her care in Jersey.
Those supported by charities and charity sector leaders have called for their work to be given greater recognition.
Gillian Bell, who lives with hearing and sight problems, said support she receives from nurses at FNHC is "a miracle", after struggling to get appointments elsewhere.
It comes after a report revealed that health, social and care charities contributed an estimated £137m worth of support to people in Jersey in 2024.
Bell and her husband have both received care from FNHC.
She said her life changed when she met one of their nurses: "We met Kathryn Kelly who was like a breathe of fresh air coming through our door.
"I'd been waiting months and months for appointments not getting anywhere, cancelled constantly. Wasn't getting anything done until Kathryn Kelly turned up."
"It's made a massive difference because if we didn't have them I don't know where we'd be right now honestly."
Christa Roberts had similar praise for the team at Macmillan Jersey, who she described as a "godsend" after it supported her through breast cancer treatment.
"Literally, my world flipped - I didn't know what was going on," said Roberts, describing receiving her diagnosis.
"They were just there for me… you can be yourself. Whereas I think with a lot of other people around you you're always putting on a front… you tend to be like I'm fine, it's okay, don't worry I'm okay - because they want you to say you're okay.
"Whereas with Macmillan you can say I'm not okay, I'm having a really bad time… and they listen and I think that is a huge thing that helps you."
Research, which analysed thirteen health, social care and wellbeing charities including Family Nursing and Home Care and Macmillan, revealed that these organisations contributed an estimated £137m of support to people in Jersey in 2024.
It also estimated that around 15% of the island interacted with one of these charities that year.
Rosemarie Findlay, director of the Jersey Community Foundation which commissioned the report, said the charities "contribute enormous value to the island and for islanders, represent strong value for money, and plug a critical gap in service provision".
"It's phenomenal," said Robert Surcouf, chairperson of the Association of Jersey Charities.
"The reality is that its highly important that these charities, and all charities, get the recognition and support because they make our community such a better place to live."
