Bright Beginnings has first CEO due to grant
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS has appointed its first chief executive officer after receiving a multi-year grant from the Guernsey Community Foundation.
Lisa Blondel has taken up her new role at the children’s centre at Delancey following a career as a secondary school English teacher.
She taught in the UK initially, before returning to Guernsey in 2018 to raise her daughter and work with children with social, emotional and mental health needs at Les Voies, then later at Les Beaucamps High School.
‘As a teacher, my focus was on children with significant needs and the effect that this has on their ability to learn,’ said Ms Blondel.
‘I’ve always been keen to ensure that they had the same opportunities as their peers. The Covid lockdowns were a particularly challenging time for families and young people. When we eventually returned to school, it was clear that lockdown had a significant impact on children’s mental health and that many families were struggling.’
At Bright Beginnings, Ms Blondel will work across all three of the organisation’s services – the children’s centre, the nursery and preschool, and literacy programmes.
‘Two areas make a huge difference to a child’s life,' she said.
‘The first is the crucial attachment a baby makes with primary care givers, through the care and nurture they provide, and the second relates to language acquisition and literacy as they grow.
'Bright Beginnings provides support in both these areas.'
She will also provide advise the organisation’s board on strategic direction and future developments in the delivery of services, funding and programme management.
‘We have a few big projects at the moment, like the launch of our new website which is coming in January and our building project to improve the centre for staff and service users,’ she said.
Ms Blondel said she was being made to feel very welcome at Bright Beginnings.
‘It’s a really exciting role. It’s my first experience working in the third sector – a real opportunity to make a difference at the start of a child’s life.’
The grant from the foundation, which includes co-funding from a private charitable trust which the GCF secured, will help fund Ms Blondel’s role for several years.
‘The board of Bright Beginnings are delighted to welcome Lisa as our chief executive,’ said chairman David Farrimond.
‘Lisa brings a wealth of experience to this new role.
‘We look forward with anticipation as Lisa focuses on the strategic direction of Bright Beginnings to benefit Guernsey families.’
