Newsfeed

What's On - June 2023

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.

 

Service Update

In line with Government updates, there are some changes to our Service.  To see these, please click HERE to visit our Covid-19 & Service Updates page.

 

Training Sessions & Courses

Spring term - Jersey Recovery College

The Jersey Recovery College Summer prospectus is now out and includes a variety of courses and activities.  To find out more and book your place on a course, please click here for their prospectus or complete the application form below.

Care Academy 

Access a range of free and low cost online courses through the Care Academy.  Subjects include from Care, First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Safety, Fire Safety and Manual Handling.  Click HERE to visit their website and find out more. 

 

Prince's Trust

A number of exciting courses are on offer for 16 - 25 year olds.  To find out more, contact Florrie Copley at Jersey Youth Service on florriecopley@jys.je 

 

Carers' Support Programme - St John's Ambulance

St John's provide a free programme for people who care for others. Check out this link to see more information and how to book.

Their free Carers' Support Programme is for informal carers who are caring for a friend or relative in their own home. They also welcome volunteers who care for people within the voluntary sector.

Over the course of the four sessions they will cover subject areas such as First Aid, infection control, safe handling, safety in the home, stress management and information on other services available including social services. They also invite outside speakers in and are flexible to meet the needs of the attendees.

Next sessions commence 5 June from 10am to 1pm, then the following 3 Mondays.

Contact sarah.vivian@sja.org.je

 

 

What's on this June

 

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.

 

10 June - Hospice are holding their annual Moonlight Walk, this is either a 5km or 10km walk starting at 9pm from St Brelade's Parish Hall at St Aubin. It is due to be finished by 11pm and there is the promise of tea and cake at the end. To register please check out the Hospice website. 

 

11 June - JSPCA are inviting you to their Pet Memorial Service to remember our loved animals who have died. It is being held at the Pet Cemetery near First Tower from 2-3 pm. All welcome.

 

13 June - Skills Jersey are holding their Careers Event at the Radisson hotel from 1-6pm. You can meet employers face to face, apply directly for current vacancies and find out about different careers. Open to all. You can sign up on Eventbrite for a free ticket for General Admission. Find out more here

 

14 June - The Jersey Museum is having a lunchtime learning session for members only, the talk is about the hoard of coins found in Jersey, Le Catillon II. The talk is from 1.15 - 2pm, with sandwiches and tea provided from 1pm.

 

20 June - Salvation Army are holding a Celebration of Ukrainian food evening at their base in Minden Place. It is to raise money for those in need because of the current conflict there. Doors open at 6pm and you need to buy a ticket for £10 on this link to attend.

 

23 June - JSPCA are holding a 'Take your dog to work' day to fundraise for their work with local animals. Why not suggest that your workplace provides doggy treats to buy, or charge a donation for every pup that comes to join in. 

 

25 June - Meet the Militia at Elizabeth Castle, they will be there to meet the public from 10-4, although it is worth checking that they are present by phoning 634048 before making the trip across. 

 

 

 

 

 

Awareness Days

1-7 June is Volunteers Week. This celebrates the vital work that volunteers undertake in our Island in many different charities and organisations. If you are a volunteer - congratulations and thank you for all the work you do, if you would like to know more about volunteering on Island please check out the Association of Jersey Charities website or Volunteer.je You could always pop in to the Volunteer Centre, Le Pivot, 56 New Street St Helier, this is open from 10am to 4pm during volunteers week.

 

6-12 June is International Bike Week, a great time to think about using your bike for work or leisure, and to add in your miles to the local 'Love to Ride' scheme currently underway in Jersey. Find out more by following the link above.

 

12-18 June is Loneliness Awareness Week. Maybe we can do something to help others with loneliness or look for company ourselves by accessing one of the local groups around the Island to help make connections. Check out Mind Jersey's social groups that you can access for some support if needed. The Samaritans have a helpline if you are feeling low and need to talk. 

 

18 June is Father's Day - if you would like to treat your Dad to a free drink you can book on Eventbrite, visit Elizabeth Castle, Mont Orgueil or Hamptonne on Father's Day and the first 50 to book can present their tickets for a free celebratory drink on Jersey Heritage.

 

19 - 25 June is Learning Disability Week. This year the theme is around showing the world the incredible things that people with a learning disability achieve, smashing misconceptions about what people can do and shining a light on the stigma many still face every day. Visit the Mencap website to find out more about this celebration of all people with a learning disability.

 

 

 

 

 

General Information

 

Residential Tenancy Law Consultation: Town Hall meetings announced

The Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, has announced details of three meetings to give Islanders further opportunity to feedback on potential changes to the Residential Tenancy Law.

Earlier this month, the Minister launched a consultation on his proposed approach to improving the existing law, to give better protections to tenants and landlords in Jersey. Deputy Warr’s document includes potential enhancements such as:

• Introducing open-ended tenancies, offering more security of tenure and protection against so-called “revenge evictions”
• Increasing minimum notice periods for tenancies
• Limiting the amount and frequency of rent increases during tenancies
• Establishing a new Housing Tribunal that will consider a wide range of residential tenancy issues
• Formalising requirements for social housing provision

Alongside the formal online consultation, three events will be held at the Town Hall, with the chance for Islanders to hear more from the Minister, ask questions, and have their say.

The meetings are on Monday 5 June (landlord-focused event), Wednesday 7 June (tenant-focused event) and a general session on Tuesday 13 June. All three run from 6-8pm.

Deputy Warr said: “The existing laws were created some time ago and inevitably in today’s world these now look dated. The updates I’m putting forward are significant and it’s important everyone has ample opportunity to have their say.

“I appreciate that reading long Government documents or completing online surveys isn’t everyone’s preferred way of engaging, and so I hope these three events at the Town Hall will encourage more Islanders – whether they be tenants, landlords or neither – to get involved with shaping these policies. We’ll be promoting the events on social media over the next few days, and posters are going up at key locations. “I’d also like to thank all those who’ve already had their say as part of this consultation, and I look forward to reading the responses.”

Postcards - in English, Polish, Portuguese and Romanian - have been distributed to key stakeholders for those who wish to take part in the consultation but do not wish to complete the longer online survey.

The consultation has also been extended until 23 June 2023 to give Islanders more opportunity to have their say.

 

Government seeks feedback on suicide prevention

The Government is asking Islanders for their opinions on the prevention of suicide in Jersey and the support services that are available.

Islanders will be able to give feedback through an online survey, consisting of four questions, or by attending the below in-person engagement events. Feedback will be used to inform the Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.

• Tuesday 13 June 3pm-4.30pm, Jersey Public Library
• Tuesday 13 June 6pm-7.30pm, Jersey General Hospital
• Monday 19 June 10pm-11.30am, Jersey Public Library
• Monday 19 June 12.30pm-2pm, Jersey Public Library

Those wishing to attend a session are asked to book their place by contacting b.polglass@gov.je with their date and time preference.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Karen Wilson, said: “This is an extremely sensitive and challenging issue in any community, and even more so in one like Jersey, where the impact of a death from suicide can affect many people and for a long time. Suicide is preventable and we need to do much more to help people seek and secure early help and treatment when they feel suicide is the only option to relieve mental distress.

“Normalising talking about our mental health is as important as talking about our physical health. By doing so we can help identify problems early and develop the interventions needed particularly for conditions like severe depression and anxiety. Engaging the public in talking about mental health is an effective way to reduce stigma which is often cited as a barrier to seeking help and support.

“Please get involved in the feedback and help us to create the right conditions to prevent suicide in Jersey”

Anyone who needs support or is struggling with their mental health can find help at:

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS)

Mental Health Network

Listening Lounge

 

Customer and Local Services (CLS) appointments system and contact details

How to access Customer and Local Services

 You can book an appointment with the different service hubs by clicking on to a link below:

• business hub (starting or ending a business, running a business or staff recruitment)
• pensions and care hub (age related benefits, long term care and income support)
• work and family hub  (income support, student finance, health benefits, impairments and contributions)
• service hub (new resident registration and registration cards) 

You can access their services:

• by calling on +44 (0)1534 444444
• by emailing customerservice@gov.je 
• in person during opening hours
• Visit Customer and Local Services (CLS)

 

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

 

Keep doing the right thing - Covid19 update

The Government has announced a number of changes to its COVID-19 response as part of the continued de-escalation which aligns the Island’s response more closely with that of other comparable jurisdictions. 

The changes will come into effect on 1 April and include:

• Health, care, and emergency services will now make their own decisions on mask wearing for their staff and in their premises 
• Pre-admission screening for healthcare settings and enclosed communities will move from PCR to LFT 
• All other asymptomatic screening will stop
• Stay at home guidance following a positive test will be reduced to five days 

LFT kits are still freely available to order online, however, it is anticipated that the universal offer of LFT kits will be removed, and all non-diagnostic testing will stop from the 30 June. 

Mask wearing 

Health, care, and emergency services will have autonomy to determine the requirements for masks for their staff and in their premises, based on the current level of risk.

Pre-admission and staff/inpatient screening

Islanders will no longer be required to have a PCR test when being admitted to hospital or other care settings but will instead need to take an LFT.

Asymptomatic staff and inpatients will no longer be tested daily, but anyone with symptoms will be managed in line with standard guidance.

Isolation guidance 

Following a positive COVID-19 test, all Islanders will be advised to stay at home for 5 days, and to avoid vulnerable people for 10 days if possible. There will no longer be a requirement for two consecutive negative LFTs before returning to work for any employees. 

Anyone who is unwell should contact their GP for further advice.

 

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.

 

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.

 

The Community Cost Bonus (CCB) is doubling from £258.25 to £516.50 and extending eligibility for claimants. 

You can receive this payment for your household if:

• One adult has lived in Jersey for at least 5 years

• The combined household tax bill was less than £2,735 in 2021

• The household is not receiving Income Support

Other measures in the budget include

 - A temporary reduction of 2% in Social Security contributions from 1 October to 31 December 2022: 

 - Class 1 employee paid contributions decreasing from 6% to 4% 

 - Class 2 self employed or unemployed paid contributions decreasing from 12.5% to 10.5%

If you have questions about any of these please check in with your EC and they can help with any enquiries you may have. Otherwise contact CLS on 444444.

 

Gov.je has a new 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.

 

Meet the Minister

Islanders are being invited to meet with the Minister for Health and Social Services to share their views on health and social care in Jersey. 

A series of informal parish events began at the end of January and will continue until the early summer with the Minister, Deputy Karen Wilson, and her assistant ministers, visiting all 12 parishes to listen to Islanders’ ideas, feedback or concerns about Health and Community Services.

Parishioners will each have the opportunity to sit privately with the minister or an assistant minister to give their feedback. 

Deputy Wilson said: “Since taking on the role of Minister for Health and Social Services, I have managed to speak to many of our dedicated workforce and patients to listen carefully to their views on the department. 

“As we continue to make progress with the services and care we offer following both the Professor Mascie-Taylor and Comptroller and Auditor General’s reports, it is crucial that Islanders’ voices are also heard and that is why I, along with my assistant ministers, want to engage with them directly by going to each parish and listening very carefully to what they have to say.” 

The roadshow dates, all of which will be held at the respective Parish or Public Hall, all at the same time of 6:30 pm to 8 pm are: 

• 30 Jan – St Mary 
• 23 Feb – St Brelade 
• 1 March – St Lawrence 
• 8 March – St John 
• 15 March – St Ouen 
• 27 March – St Saviour 
• 17 April – St Helier (#1)
• 4 May - Trinity 
• 11 May – St Martin 
• 18 May – St Clement 
• 7 June – Grouville 
• 22 June – St Helier (#2) 
• 26 June – St Peter 

Islanders are only asked to attend the parish hall in the parish where they live to ensure that all parishioners who wish to have the opportunity to meet the ministerial team. Some of the larger or busier parishes will have repeat events if required. 

 

Warm Space

The Town Church have continued to open their doors to the public and provide a 'warm space' where people can have free tea/coffee, have a chat with others, work using their free wifi, or meet with other families. There is a play area for children, and they are also providing fruit and toast. This is open Mon - Fri from 9-6, Sat 10.30-6.

 

Revenue Jersey is announcing the launch of its “Personal Tax Community Helpdesk”. Starting in October it will be visiting locations in the north, east and west of the island to provide face to face support to taxpayers without them needing to travel to St Helier. 

The Community Helpdesk will offer much the same services currently available at La Motte Street: customers can pop in for a confidential chat about their tax affairs; or ask the team about recent changes to the tax law.

The Personal Tax Community Helpdesk offers:

• Two experienced revenue officers, with secure access to customers’ digital records, for personal tax queries.  
• A change and customer experience specialist with information about current and future changes to tax law and help with understanding how tax works. 
• A Modernisation and Digital specialist to answer questions on data security online and help with setting up onegov accounts and digital IDs (JerseyMe and Yoti).

This approach is part of a broader effort to improve the accessibility of personal tax help and information. It will, particularly support customers who have limited mobility and might struggle to make a journey into town to the helpdesk; and those who do not find it easy to engage with help services online or by telephone.

 

Support available from Housing Advice Service

The government’s Housing Advice Service has now been set up to provide a wide range of information, advice and practical support around all aspects of housing in Jersey. This ranges from providing help to property owners, landlords, tenants, those looking to buy or sell a property, those at risk of becoming homeless, or those with housing-related concerns or complaints. 

The specialist team, based at Philip Le Feuvre House, La Motte Street, work in partnership with agencies, organisations and other government departments to ensure that the appropriate wrap around support is provided, tailored to the needs of each individual.

Minister for Housing and Communities, Deputy David Warr, said: “We want to make sure that Islanders are aware of the support that’s available to them and how they can access it. By working with a range of organisations, we are committed to raising the visibility of the network of agencies that are working together to deliver this service. 

“I would encourage those that need it to access the services that we have available, and to contact the team who are in a prime position to support Islanders and provide their expertise.” 

Find out more

Online here

Email: housingadvice@gov.je 

Phone: 01534 444 444 

Address: Customer and Local Services PO Box 55, La Motte Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PE

 

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 resuming their Quiet Hour on Mondays from 3 - 4pm.  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 new 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 Government of Jersey recently announced that following the recent increase in the price of gas in Jersey, extra support is being made available for vulnerable customers and those on low income who use gas to heat their homes. Support includes Jersey Gas’ “Priority Customer Care” scheme, which can provide assistance with spreading out bill payments, home comfort checks and a range of other measures. There is also a financial support scheme for customers who are worried about being able to pay their gas heating bills.

Jersey Gas are encouraging any customer who is concerned about paying their bills to contact them on 01534 755577 to find out more about the various support options available.

 

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.