New focus for the Barclays Jersey Community Awards

James Qualtrough | September 12, 2012 | 0 Comments

The Barclays Jersey Community Award helped to purchase a third ‘eye-gaze’ system for use in Jersey

BARCLAYS is once again offering funding for local charities through its annual Community Awards.

However, in a change from previous years, the awards will be aiming to help charities working in a specific area: improving life, financial and entrepreneurial skills in the island’s young people.

The awards are open to registered charities that are based locally and national charities that have a Jersey branch. Only projects that benefit the local community will be considered for the awards.

As well as funding, the awards provide the opportunity for charities to partner with Barclays to achieve their goals.

“We are specifically looking for projects where we can work in partnership with the charity to deliver a specific need in the community,” said Paul Savery, Barclays managing director and a judge on the awards panel.

“This could be a range of things including staff involvement and support such as sharing business skills or mentoring,” he said. “There are so many worthy causes in the island, and it is wonderful that so many apply for the awards each year.

“As a company we are committed to supporting charities, and this year is the first year we are focusing on a particular area. Developing life, financial and entrepreneurial skills in young people is something Barclays as a whole is keen to do. Young people are key to Jersey’s future success so we think it is vital they get the best start in life – something we hope to support through these awards.”

Along with Mr Savery, this year’s judging panel is made up of Spencer Davies, presenter on Channel 103, Kevin Keen, CEO at Jersey Post and Adele Langlois from Barclays.

“The judges will consider applications from any charity, for any amount, but in particular we are looking for those that meet our key aim to support young people,” said Mr Savery.

Last year the company made £33,600 worth of grants and supported nine charities including the Zannah Trust.

“We awarded The Zannah Trust £12,000 last year for their ‘Eye-Gaze Project’ – funding a third ‘eye-gaze’ system for use in Jersey,” said Mrs Langlois.

“These systems enable people to control computers with their eyes, meaning they can communicate with others even if they are unable to speak or use their hands to type. These systems are transforming lives in Jersey, which is the key goal of the Community Awards.”

The Eye-Gaze Project is supported by Dr Mick Donegan, director of UK charity, SpecialEffect.

“Barclays support has made a really big difference to our work,” said Andrew Pemberton of the Zannah Trust. “Having a third system has meant we can share the technology with even more islanders and to give those who already use it the opportunity to spend more time with it. ‘Eye-gaze’ systems can transform the lives of those who use them, allowing them to communicate when previously they may not have been able to.

“The Community Awards are a great idea and it is good to see a business such as Barclays offering support like this to local charities.”

Entry forms are available to collect from the Barclays branch at Library Place, Barclays offices on Broad Street and the Esplanade or by email from adele.langlois@barclays.com. The deadline for entries is Friday 19th October.

The Community Awards will be presented to the chosen charities at an evening reception in November.

A similar scheme – Barclays Champion Charities – is also run in Guernsey and will see a similar amount donated to charities in the island.