Increased demand this winter, say Jersey charities

Local charities say there has been an increase in demand for their services this year, particularly during the winter.

The Salvation Army's Pantry Store, which opened in March, has had 600 households sign up to the scheme so far, which represents more than 1,000 Jersey residents.

The Christmas Kindness Appeal scheme had an increase of more than 80 children in need of their gifts from 2024, while the Shelter Trust said there were more people needing emergency accommodation and meals this year.

At the same time, islanders are being praised by charities for their generosity in the run-up to Christmas.

Salvation Army officer Richard Nunn said their food wholesalers for the Pantry Store, including Value Foods, and some local schools had donated extra chocolate oranges, biscuits and drinks in the run-up to Christmas.

He said it was "awesome" to have some luxury items donated so that those who struggled to afford essential groceries could still enjoy some festive extras.

Mr Nunn said: "What we see is people come in here and they're weighed down with stress. They're so stressed out with their financial situation that they're in [...] and then they leave sort of lighter and their body language has changed where they feel relief and that pressure kind of lifted."

Charlotte Riley started the Christmas Kindness Appeal last year after reading a Facebook post where a woman had said she could not afford to buy Christmas presents from charity stores.

"I thought nobody should be in that position, it's a horrible position to be in," she said.

"I just wanted to help people who were struggling during this particular period of time."

Ms Riley said more than 650 gifts had been bought from an online wish list, as well as many more from islanders who had donated gifts, restaurant vouchers and Christmas experiences.

The Shelter Trust said there had been a rise in the number of people looking for emergency accommodation in 2025 - particularly women needing refuge - and meals.

Trust chair Mike Powell said: "I think people wouldn't be requiring those services or dropping in if they didn't feel that there were problems financially."

Mr Powell said that the charity's annual soup kitchen was its most successful to date and raised £22,000.

He said: "I think that there was little doubt that an awful lot of people were very aware that more and more people are struggling - it could be anyone of our neighbours, friends or family who are finding life increasingly difficult.

"So, when you combine that together with the Christmas spirit and the general sort of goodwill in our local community, I'm sure that is why it was so successful and, hopefully, why other charities are finding the same as well."

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