Newsfeed

What's On - October 2025

Our news feed gives information about upcoming events, training sessions and awareness days.  If you know of an event that isn't listed below, please tell your Employment Coordinator so we can add this.

 

Training

Check back here for the latest training as it is planned.

What's on this October

Dean and Charlie

In August we remembered our JET colleague Dean Lowe and his lovely son Charlie, it has been two years since he was last in the office with us.

We still think about him and talk about him all the time. If you are coming for a meeting at Oakfield please do feel free to spend some time at our new memorial seating area there and enjoy the peace and flowers - he did love his garden and growing all sorts of floral and vegetable offerings for us at JET.

   

 

 

 

News from JET

 

JET Jaunt 2025

The JET Jaunt 2025 was a huge success, great fun was had by all participants and a lot of money has been raised to help the work we do here at JET. Many thanks to all who took part and who worked so hard to make it a success again!

More info here:

https://www.jet.co.je/support-us/jet-events/

 

 

Community Events

Why not get involved in a local event to support a Jersey charity, or just have fun and meet new people. 

 

Jersey Heritage have some great walking routes available to try on their website - including new Geowalks. These are accompanied guided walks around different areas of Jersey - a partnership between Jersey Heritage and Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark (AJIG). For more information and a link to book tickets please press here.

 

3 October - Focus on Mental Illness are holding a quiz at the Ambassador Hotel. Tickets are £25 including dinner.

You can create your own team or join an existing one, it’s all about having fun! Enjoy trivia, prizes, and lots of laughs, while supporting a fantastic cause.

All proceeds go to Focus on Mental Illness, helping to raise awareness and provide support for islanders living with mental illness and their families.

Please follow the link for tickets.

 

5 October - Jersey Hospice are holding a Thrifty for Fifty jumble sale at the Town Hall - majority of the items are only 50p. Sale is on from 10am.

 

15 October - The Parent Carer Forum are having a meet up at St Brelade Sport and Social Club from 7-9pm. this forum is for parents whose children have some additional needs to give views on what is working well and what could improve in Jersey's local services for families.

These meet-ups are designed to bring families together to connect, share, and learn in a supportive community. Parents and carers will have the opportunity to:

• Hear about and get involved in the Forum’s work
• Share views on what’s working well and what could be improved in local services
• Exchange tips and “golden nuggets” with other parents
• Chat, listen, and laugh with people who truly understand their journey

Tickets on Eventbrite.: https://bit.ly/4fUp0Eg

 

10 October - The Shelter Trust are holding their annual Tinathon, Whether it’s soup, beans, vegetables, or fruit – your donation helps them to provide essential support to those who are homeless in the Island. They will be at West's Centre, St. Helier on Friday 10th October between 8am and 2pm for you to drop off tins and help make this a record breaking year. 

 

11 October - Philip's Footprints are holding their annual Starlight Walk from 5-9.30pm. This takes place within Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9-15 October. The walk takes place from the gardens at the Waterfront to St Aubin and back. To register you can follow this link for more information

 

26 October - End of British Summer Time, this means that we put our clocks back an hour to make the mornings darker again for a while, we are heading into Autumn!

 

31 October - Halloween celebrations at Mont Orgueil with Jersey Heritage.

Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere on the Lower Ward and Middle Ward, with food, music, dance, free face painting, live entertainment, including dazzling fire shows from The Jersey Showman at 7pm & 9.30pm…but climb to the top of the Castle and the atmosphere darkens. Inside the Keep, shadows deepen, the walls whisper, and only the brave will face what awaits.

Beware roaming characters, including the Witch, the Medieval Jester and the Ghoulish Soldier.
Listen to ghost stories and experience the Castle’s ‘Dance of Death’ on the Grand Battery – it’s not to be missed after dark! Watch the Skeleton Dancers and see the Jersey Lilies dancing with a macabre twist. There will be refreshment available, including pizza from Good Stone. The Castle café will be open all night too!

Tickets from Jersey Heritage. More information on their website here

 

Jersey Library is hosting some lego evenings for adults in their Adult Lego Club. It is held every Wednesday evening at the Town Library from 6-8 pm. The club is for adults only 18 yrs and over. There is no need to book and all lego is provided.

Jersey Library is also currently running Creative Fridays

Every Friday from 10am to 12pm, get creative, have a coffee or tea and meet people. You need to be aged 16 and over. You don’t need to book. Crochet and knit takes place every first Friday of the month and mindful colouring is on the fourth Friday. Activities change in other weeks.

As well as these the library also has a program of therapy dogs being available for comfort and love! They are at Les Quennevais library every Saturday morning between 10.30 and 11.30, and in town they come in on different days, this month they are there on Monday 4th, Thursday 14th, Friday 22nd, Wednesday 27th of August. The times are still 10.30 to 11.30 am.

The library also has access to a free online program that you can use to improve digital skills, as a library member, you can learn how to use a computer or develop your skills using Learn My Way​​.

They also offer free extra support to anyone using Learn My Way at the Town Library every:

• Tuesday 6pm to 7pm
• Thursday 10am to 11am

Sessions take place in the computer room on the first floor. You can come to as many sessions as you need but you have to book in advance.​

 

Jersey Scrabble Club - The club meets every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm at Salvation Army Jersey, on Minden Street, St Helier.

The Autumn League (starting soon) is a great way to learn Scrabble or improve your game, with tips and help given if needed. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned player, there's a place for you. Try-out practice sessions begin Tuesday 2 September. New joiners are welcome to come along and simply enjoy the game—no need to join the league right away. Practice sessions are free, and the Spring Handicap costs just £12 in total, including refreshments.

📞 Contact: Alex Mallinson

Tel: 07797 744228, Email: alexmallinson72@gmail.com

 

Mind Jersey hold a Women's group on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 5-7pm at the Drop in centre in town. Go for support and friendship with other like minded ladies!

 

The Older Persons Living Forum is inviting new members aged 65 and over to take part in its bimonthly meetings. This vibrant group serves as a link between the Government and Jersey’s older community, ensuring their voice is heard. Whether it's healthcare, transport, housing, or community services the forum provides a space for open dialogue and feedback. Members regularly raise concerns and ideas based on lived experiences across the island, helping shape policies that reflect the needs of older islanders.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Wednesday 24 September 2025
• Wednesday 19 November 2025

Meetings are held at Age Concern from 14:00-16:00.

All meeting notes are available on the Government of Jersey website.

Interested in joining?
If you are 65 or over, or know someone who is and is interested in joining, please get in touch:
email: olderpersonslivingforum@gov.je
phone:  01534 447219

d support in this journey. Contact them on 0800 735115, email them on help2quit@health.gov.je or visit their website gov.je/help2quit

 

Macmillan Jersey Gardening Club 

Macmillan Jersey are delighted to be working in partnership with David Ryan Landscapes Ltd in running a monthly Gardening club. A gardening expert from their team will be on hand to guide the sessions and answer any questions you may have.

The dates are as follows:

Wednesday                      18 June

Wednesday                      16 July

Wednesday                      13 August

Wednesday                      18 September

Wednesday                      15 October

Chambard Allotments, La Rue Hamel, St. Clements

Directions -  When you get to FB fields traveling East past Samares Manor, Le Roquier School onward to St. Clements church and finally passing Caldwell Hall - 200 yards on turn RIGHT into La Rue Hamel and Clos de Corvez estate.  See the honestly stall and dirt track,  go down until you reach greenhouses and parking area.  Enter the allotment field and take a RIGHT turn walk down grass track to bottom RH corner of plots and Macmillan is there.

For more information,  please contact Caroline at the Macmillan Jersey on 01534 498188 or email admin@macmillanjersey.com

From Monday 1 September, multi-faith and all non-religious funeral services held at Jersey Crematorium will be temporarily relocated from the existing Westmount Road location to the Members’ Room at the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) in Trinity.

Given the crematorium's immediate proximity to the new Acute Hospital’s construction site, the temporary move is necessary to ensure services can continue to be conducted with dignity and respect during the most potentially impactful phases of the build.

Cremations, interments, and the use of the Garden of Remembrance will remain at the existing Westmount location, with the office and rose gardens open as usual.

In advance of the relocation, some minor works to the RJA&HS Members’ Room have been carried out by nine local contractors and suppliers, to ensure that services can continue with the same dignity and functionality as they do at the current crematorium site. 

Services at the RJA&HS will be held four days per week, similar to the current schedule, with the new temporary facility offering:

• up to 50 parking spaces, including accessible parking
• capacity for services to hold up to 100 mourners in the Members’ Room
• accessibility for wheelchair users and accessible for hearse and funeral cars
• exclusive use of the space, allowing mourners the same level of privacy that the current facility provides
• a private, off-road area for mourners to gather privately before and after services
• a location within a 15-minute drive of the crematorium.

The Government of Jersey will continue to engage closely with stakeholders and the public throughout the relocation and transition period. 

 

Cost of Primary Care Services to reduce by £10

​​​​From 1 July 2025, Islanders will benefit from a new £10 subsidy on appointments with Nurses, Pharmacists, Paramedics, Health Care Assistants, and for telephone consultations in general practice. This follows previous reductions in the cost of GP appointments, which saw £20 removed in 2023 and £30 in 2024, to make primary care more affordable for Islanders. Reducing GP service fees is a government priority helping to ease financial pressures on households and supporting Islanders to access GP care early, without fear of high costs. The expanded subsidy does not apply to out-of-hours services provided by Jersey Doctors on Call, as well as patients in the Health Access Scheme who pay fixed reduced fees for GP services.  

Cost of Primary Care Services to reduce by £10

 

Official opening of new breast screening unit

The new breast screening unit at the Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre has officially been opened on Wednesday 2 July. 

As previously announced, Improvements to breast screening programme​, enhancements have been made to the breast screening service as part of a project to ensure that by the end of 2027, all eligible women will be automatically called up for breast screening rather than having to inform Health and Care Jersey that they would like to be screened. The project was only possible thanks to a new £255,000 mammography machine paid for by The John Clive Le Seelleur Trust, and funding from the charity Jersey Cancer Relief for additional members of staff. Since it opened in November, about 3,000 people have been screened in the new unit. 

 

Fort Regent

The Government of Jersey, through its Regeneration Steering Group, has unveiled ambitious proposals to redevelop Fort Regent, restoring its status as the Island’s premier leisure and entertainment hub. 

The transformation will create a vibrant, modern destination for socialising, entertainment, and recreation, with a strong emphasis on facilities for children and young adults. 

In collaboration with the Jersey Development Company, JDC, the Government’s property development arm, practical and sustainable plans have been developed that balance heritage with state-of-the art leisure and entertainment facilities. 

Key Features of the proposed redevelopment: 

Internal transformations 

• Gloucester Hall redeveloped into a flexible 2,500 seat acoustic theatre, enhancing Jersey’s ability to attract larger live performances and events, and provide flexibility for DJ events, conferences, conventions and/or a show court for sporting events. 
• Queens Hall (the Rotunda) converted into a multi-functional entertainment complex over two floors, incorporating: A 12-lane ten-pin bowling facility; Arcade and battle café style games space; A six-screen cinema (relocated from the Waterfront) 
• The Piazza and adjacent perimeter Garrison Rooms redesigned as an arts and culture hub, providing spaces for performing arts, music and artist studios surrounding a large, covered space for hosting exhibitions, events and live performances, and serving as the home of Jersey’s winter ice rink. 
• The former Active Gym space repurposed as a multi-activity facility for all ages, featuring: A ‘Ninja Warrior’-style active play zone; Sky Trail; Climbing and bouldering activities.
• Additionally, some of the remaining perimeter rooms and Don Theatre are proposed to become gaming zones, virtual golf, cafés and a bar. 

New outdoor amenities 

• A destination skatepark catering to all ages 
• A pump track for BMXers and Mountain Bikers 
• A play and heritage trail
• A 500m running track 
• A teenage zone with a 3x3 ball court and a dedicated social space for older children and teenagers. 

External enhancements 

• Improved accessibility and a new entrance building 
• A cable car link to the Fort 
• A hotel (on the site of the former swimming pool) 
• A relocated children’s nursery 
• A rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views over St Helier 
• Landscaped gardens 
• Uplighting of the Fort’s external walls Cost and funding strategy 

You can read more about this here.

 

Your Voice Matters

Macmillan Jersey, whose purpose is to provide cancer support to anyone affected by cancer in Jersey, are asking for your help. By sharing your experiences and suggestions, you'll be directly contributing to the enhancement of services and income strategies ensuring they meet the needs of everyone in our community. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey - your input will make a real difference. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=cgWUcAUpHUWx7otX5gR8r7SzAiIeJttFn5QzOQu-3qRUMEQxSDJVVzhJVlJCWkVTR05OTVZOMEY0Ni4u

 

Elemental Launch – Social Prescribing in Jersey

Connect Me: Connecting Our Communities is proud to launch Elemental, which is an online social prescribing solution designed for GP’s and other frontline healthcare professionals so that people with social, emotional, or practical needs are empowered to engage in local programmes and services to which improve their health and wellbeing.  In due course, islanders will be able to self-refer themselves to get help, but for the time being referrals will mostly be done via the GP’s. This is a natural flow of progression considering that Connect Me is all about connecting islanders by providing opportunities for them to take part in cultural and physical activities, often that have been out of reach for them due to finances, mobility or isolation.

It is well-proven that joining in social activities and meeting other people greatly improves peoples physical, mental and social well-being therefore Elemental is a fantastic way of delivering help and support to our islanders.

Newly appointed Link Workers will pick up referrals through the Elemental system and will have the opportunity to listen, support and guide people to a new hobby, sport or cultural activity – and some people may even pick up a pastime that they have not been able to do in years – but most importantly, they will be informed and directed to join one of the many activities happening in Jersey that hopefully, in turn, will improve their life.

elementalsoftware.site/jersey/ ​

Check out the link above to the Jersey website which is also a comprehensive directory of activities & services in Jersey, it is not complete yet, but worth a look and if there is an activity that you know is happening in Jersey but is not listed, please contact Jo Goodhall j.goodhall@gov.je – they want as many activities, services and programmes to be listed as possible.

 

Dementia Jersey Carers Packs

Are you a family carer for someone with dementia? Check out Dementia Jersey’s new FREE Carers Support Pack which contains carefully curated information and advice based on the charity’s years of experience supporting people with dementia and their families and friends. This pack includes guides, tools, and information to help you navigate the caregiving journey.

In the pack, you'll find information on:

Dementia Jersey's services
The Dementia Pathway
‘This is Me’ booklet
Aid to Locate booklet
The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
Memory Assessment Leaflet
Long Term Care Scheme
 

Discover valuable resources and support for family carers with Dementia Jersey's Carers Pack! Visit www.dementia.je/carerspack to find out more.

 

Improvements made to Long-Term Care Scheme communications

The Minister for Social Security, Deputy Elaine Millar, is delighted to announce the completion of a review and enhancements to the Long-Term Care (LTC) Scheme communications, to make them more straightforward and easier to understand. Delivering these enhancements is a key priority of the Minister’s 2023 Delivery Plan. The new communications have been developed after discussions with all stakeholders, including carers and people who currently participate in the LTC scheme. 

The workstream to review and improve the communications material, has delivered: 

• Updated scheme literature: There is a new Information Pack made up of three separate, newly designed, shorter leaflets to provide clear explanations of each Long-Term Care Scheme scenario and a simple ‘roadmap’ which provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide for someone as they apply for the Long-Term Care Scheme. Information is available in larger font, on request. 
• New webpages: To further enhance how information is presented, new webpages have been launched. They offer new content and interactive menus, ensuring that Islanders can access the details they need, quickly and easily. This is available to view. An animated explainer video and EasyRead resources will also be added to the webpages.

 

Mind Jersey

Mind Jersey have started several new groups in their centres in town. They are generally open for anyone who needs support, friendship or a chat! There are lots of options, from Man Club to a DVD club, Art groups to a walking group. The best way to find out what is happening is on their facebook page, follow this link. Their new hub is called 'Friends of Mine' and can be found on Seale Street not far from the Town Hall. You can drop in to see them and get support, free tea/coffee and a chat. They are open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday - give it a try! If you need to find out more you can call their admin line 07829 933929

 

Macmillan Jersey are offering some new wellbeing fitness classes to try out. If you have been supporting a loved one with cancer, or have recently lost someone to cancer, maybe you've finished cancer treatment and trying to feel more like yourself again, and make some healthy changes to your lifestyle.

You might like to try Macmillan Jersey's new Boxing Better wellbeing fitness class with The Rock Fitness.

Not only is exercise essential for physical and mental health - but these classes can be empowering, cathartic and a great way to relieve stress and channel your energy into something positive through a difficult time.

Sign up today for a block of 12 free sessions (2 per week) by emailing admin@macmillanjersey.com or calling 498188.

 

Shopmobility

Shopmobility offers a highly subsidised scheme aimed mainly, but not exclusively, at individuals on Income Support who do not meet the criteria for Health supplied equipment. The scheme is designed for those who wish to boost their mobility and enhance their quality of life, thus avoiding the need to consider entering a care home or indeed suffering periods of time in hospital and therefore remaining for longer in their own domestic setting to the benefit of their wellbeing. Proof of need to participate in the scheme is required from either a doctor, including individual GPs, the Occupational or Physiotherapy Departments of Health and Community Services. 

The cost to the individual in participating in the scheme is set at £35 per calendar month, easily met from the mobility element of Income Support, with this charge covering insurance, batteries (replacement if needed) and on-going equipment maintenance, along with delivery and collection as needed.

The scooters provided will remain the property of Shopmobility and will be collected when no longer required. In the interests of safety full training is offered by Shopmobility so insurance cover is extended to the scheme and the Charity reserves absolutely the right to refuse applications as deemed appropriate if there are concerns over safe usage at its discretion.  

Applications and advice regarding the scheme are readily available not only to potential users but to their family and friends via direct contact at Shopmobility in the Lower Ground Floor of Sand Street Car Park or by phone on 739672.

Alternatively prospective clients can email Mr Edward Trevor, MBE ( Hon Chairman) using edward@shopmobility.org.je who will respond as necessary.

 

Video Magnifier Project

EYECAN prides itself on its responsiveness to needs in the community. This year EYECAN launched a video magnifier project, which involves the phased distribution of long-term loan video magnifiers to care venues and libraries. The devices support individuals with sight loss to access books, documents, undertake precision tasks such as colouring and needlework, and to revisit photographs, which can prompt reminiscence.

Eyecan is pleased to announce that a video magnifier is now available for the public to use at the Library in St Helier. It is situated on the ground floor in an accessible place to the left of the front doors. A staff member should be on hand to show people how to use it.

The ClearView C is a desktop video magnifier for people with low vision. It is designed for people who need magnification to read, write or do their hobbies. The size of the text can be greatly increased, and the image can be enhanced to provide clearer contrast.

 

The Government’s Parental Support Payment has launched and is open for applications.

You may be eligible to apply if you meet all the following criteria:

• You have lived in Jersey for less than five years
• You have “registered” status
• You have children under the age of 18
• Your gross household income last year was no more than £36,000 for a single person and £48,000 for a couple

Payments are £250 for one child and £500 for two or more children.

To apply for this money please speak to your EC or call 444444 to speak to someone in Customer and Local Services who will be able to help you.

 

Gov.je has a website for those with a learning disability,  transforming how they can access information - it is now live here

The site, which has been reviewed by service users, improves how information is presented to make sure it is in an accessible and easy to understand format. The project was undertaken as Islanders with learning disabilities struggled with complex information on gov.je and needed help to understand it. 

The Adult Learning Disability Team has worked with the Government of Jersey’s Web Services Team in consultation with service users to create the site which delivers “easy read” content in HTML format. It presents information as a combination of images and clear, understandable text. Check it out on the link above and see if its a useful service for you.

 

Don't put off your cervical screening

We have recently had Cervical Screening Awareness Week, women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are being encouraged to opt-in to the free cervical screening programme.

Cervical screening detects Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a viral infection passed between people through skin-to-skin and sexual contact which is the main cause of cervical cancer. If HPV is detected the screening sample will then be checked for any underlying abnormalities of the cervical cells.

Women and people with a cervix are reminded that they need to opt-in to the programme when they turn 25 by contacting their GP.

It is important that Islanders attend their screenings regularly (every three years for those aged 25-50, and every five years for those aged 50-64) as HPV can lie dormant for many years. Read more in Don’t put off your cervical screening (gov.je)

 

Coop Quiet Hour - In conjunction with Autism Jersey and the National Autistic Society, Coop Grande Marche St Peter and St Helier are extending their Quiet Hour on Mondays from 3 - 5pm and Saturdays 5-7pm  Read more here

 

Concessionary bus pass scheme to include free travel for companions

Carers or companions of eligible Islanders in the AvanchiAccess scheme will be able to travel on the bus for free, following an extension of the scheme by the Infrastructure, Housing and Environment (IHE) department.

The existing AvanchiAccess scheme provides unlimited free travel for Islanders who have a long-term disability preventing them from driving. The  AvanchiAccess+ scheme includes free travel for carers or companions who need to assist those Islanders who cannot travel alone on the bus some or all of the time.

Eligible Islanders who are part of the existing scheme or new customers that want to apply for the AvanchiAccess+ scheme should pick up an application form from Liberation Station, parish halls, doctors' surgeries and community organisations around the Island to apply. The pass will then be ready to use from 1 October.

Islanders must meet the eligibility criteria which includes having a long-term disability that prevents them from driving and the need to have a companion assist them on the bus some or all of the time.

For the full criteria visit www.gov.je/buses or www.libertybus.je.

 

Free screening checks to prevent sight loss

​Islanders with diabetes are being urged to come forward to check if they are at risk of losing their sight to one of the leading – but largely preventable – causes of blindness in the developed world. 

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the top five causes of blindness and sight loss in both the working age population and developed world. There are about 4,500 Islanders with diabetes and the team carry out about 5,000 free screening checks, which involves taking a variety of 2D and 3D images of the back of the eye (retina) to look for diabetic changes, a year.

Improvements to the service, which began last year, means that the waiting list for retinal screening has been cleared and the team is now urging anyone who feels they should be screened to contact them by calling 01534 444590. The clinics are free and can be offered in Spanish, Portuguese and Polish. Please check out the information here

 

The Salvation Army are continuing helping those in need this year. 

Their year-round support is available at their Minden Place premises, call Salvation Army HQ on 735472, the office is open 9-1 Monday to Friday for more details of their help.

 

1. Food bank – the Salvation Army food bank will be running for those in short-term financial crisis. Food parcels include toiletries and baby items such as nappies/wipes/formula. For longer term support, i.e. more than 6 weeks, please consider referring to the other foodbanks on the island.
2. Voucher support will continue to be available for those in immediate financial hardship. This includes utility top-ups (Jersey Electric, heating oil, and Jersey Gas) and supermarket vouchers. 
3. Community cafe is open offering free soup daily.

Pastoral support – the Salvation Army are always happy to listen and chat with people and offer pastoral support and/or signposting as appropriate, in their friendly community cafe.

 

There are more food banks in operation at the moment on Island, The Grace Trust offer food to those in need from their base in Lewis Street, they are happy to help and can be contacted to talk through difficulties. Please follow this link for their website.

 

SVP (Saint Vincent de Paul Society) also provides food bank access, they are open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. They are based in an office at the side of St Thomas Church in St Helier. For more information please follow this link

 

If you need any further help or information about any of the above please talk to your Employment Coordinator, we can assist with referrals or point you in the right direction.