HSC gives Autism Guernsey £65,000 towards key services
Neurodiverse children and their families will benefit most from a one-off grant which the States has agreed to pay Autism Guernsey.
Health & Social Care will provide £65,000 towards Autism Guernsey’s key services next year, after the charity was thrown into turmoil back in August when BBC Children in Need announced it would stop annual funding of £30,000 which the charity had relied on for the past eight years.
HSC said it worked closely with the charity to improve the lives of autistic islanders and their families, and that the one-off grant would give it time to resolve its funding difficulties from 2026.
‘Autism Guernsey provides a very valuable service to our community and the committee was concerned to hear of the financial challenges impacting the charity,’ said HSC president Al Brouard.
‘While committee finances are tight, it is important that Autism Guernsey is properly supported for the next year.’
The States appointed a commissioning lead last year who works with third sector organisations to identify services which could be delivered in partnership to provide better outcomes for the community and more value for taxpayers.
‘The impact of Autism Guernsey needing to reduce or withdraw services would be felt by those that most need it, leading to increased demand on health and social care services with added cost overall,’ said Deputy Brouard.
‘We are hopeful this one-off grant will help give the charity time to get on a steady footing for future years to ensure the vital service it provides to the community can long continue.’
Autism Guernsey chairman David Harry thanked Health & Social Care for its support.
He said HSC’s funding would help the charity continue to make a positive difference to people with autism and their families.
‘We will take this opportunity to develop, in partnership with HSC, a sustainable plan to put the charity on a more secure financial footing.’
Users of the charity’s services told the Guernsey Press they were upset and worried when BBC Children in Need announced in the summer that it would withdraw its funding due to budget cuts.
Some launched their own fundraising initiatives and publicised how much Autism Guernsey had assisted them over many years.
Policy & Resources’ vice-president Heidi Soulsby, who leads on the voluntary sector and commissioning, said that the States wanted to do what it could to support the voluntary sector.
‘It is well understood that there is increasing demand for support across the spectrum of services delivered in health and care, and the services offered by charities plays a crucial role in meeting that demand,’ said Deputy Soulsby.
‘Where there is an opportunity to commission services through the voluntary sector which will deliver value for money and better outcomes for the community, we are keen to put such arrangements in place.’
