Jersey Heritage has become the latest beneficiary of JT’s Community Giving scheme. JT has donated two tablet devices to the organisation’s Education team, enabling school children and visitors to La Hougue Bie who experience physical or social, emotional, or mental health (SEMH) challenges to explore the historic site through immersive virtual tours. This initiative helps to ensure the educational experience of this significant prehistoric site is accessible to everyone regardless of their individual needs.

The virtual tour includes the site’s Neolithic passage grave, an important part of La Hougue Bie that some visitors find difficult to access physically. By offering a digital alternative Jersey Heritage has not only enhanced accessibility and inclusion to learning but also social participation. It means that when children are back at school everyone can participate in classroom discussions, and no one is left out of conversations about their shared experience.

Jon Brennan, Head of Education at Jersey Heritage, explained the importance of the donation: ‘The entrance to the ancient passage grave is a low, dark stone structure, which can present either physical, emotional or psychological challenges for some children. Engaging with the digital tour means those students unable to enter the space can still benefit from the knowledge and experience of exploring the tomb. This makes a trip to La Hougue Bie fully inclusive and puts all the students on a level playing field with their learning. For members of the community, it means they can experience everything that La Hougue Bie has to offer, even if they haven’t physically entered the passage grave.’

Around 40 school groups, including most primary schools and some secondary schools, visit the historic site every year as part of their studies. On average there are two students in each class who struggle with physical or SEMH issues and are unable to enter the passage which affects their educational experience of this Heritage site. The tablets will now ensure equal access to the learning experience.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, said: ‘It’s always inspiring to see how digital technology can open doors – quite literally in this case – to experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. By supporting Jersey Heritage, we’re helping to bring our island’s rich history to life in new and inclusive ways. Tools like virtual tours don’t just replicate the experience, they enhance it, offering new perspectives and deeper engagement. It’s really exciting to see how innovation can make the past more present for everyone.’

The tablets are available to all visitors free of charge on request at the ticket desk at La Hougue Bie, ensuring that everyone can access the site and appreciate the importance of La Hougue Bie and its role in the island’s rich history.

JT’s Community Giving Scheme funded a much-needed digital tracking system to enhance the safety of students taking part in the 2025 De La Salle Island Walk. The funding enabled the College to set up a digital tracking system and portable Mi-Fi units for use at checkpoints along the route, ensuring the event maintained strong health and safety standards.

The new system will also contribute to the long-term feasibility of the event as it can be reused in future years, which enables De La Salle College to minimise costs. This means they can maximise the funds raised by the students for local charities, reinforcing their ethos of giving back to the community.

David Sharrock, Assistant Head Teacher (safeguarding) from De La Salle College, said: ‘With 500 boys walking 36 miles across the island, health and safety is critical. This new system not only helps with logistical challenges but also provides peace of mind for parents and staff. We’re incredibly grateful to JT for their support in making our walk safer for years to come.’

The annual De La Salle Island Walk is not just a physical and mental challenge for the participants but also a key fundraiser for charities chosen by the students. In previous years, the event has raised an impressive £15,000 – £20,000, for charities such as the JSPCA, Dementia Jersey, and Mind Jersey. This year’s chosen charities were The Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation and CAFOD – Catholic International Development Charity.

Pip Carpenter, JT’s Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships, added: ‘The pupils who take part in the De La Salle Island Walk demonstrate impressive stamina and dedication to complete such a challenging task. We’re thrilled to have been able to contribute to its ongoing success. It’s a strong example of using digital for good within the community and we’re proud to play our small part in such a fantastic and important event.’

De La Salle College’s annual round the island walk highlights the school’s commitment to both physical endurance and charitable giving, creating a spirit of community engagement and raising funds for important causes. This tradition not only challenges students but also helps to instil their values of service and social responsibility.

For more information on JT’s Community Giving scheme and how other charities, schools or community groups can apply for support, please visit www.jtglobal.com/community.

Autism Jersey has received crucial funding from JT’s Community Giving Scheme to support a series of mindfulness sessions as part of their Adult and Family Support Services, the arm of the charity that provides personalised assistance to autistic individuals, their families, and carers.

Autism Jersey’s services are free of charge, and the funding provided by JT will enable the organisation to continue its work in addressing the rising pressures faced by individuals and families in need. From May 2023 to April 2024 alone, the charity supported 280 families, hosted events for 420 children, and engaged 92 adults in its services for the first time.

Lesley Harrison, spokesperson for Autism Jersey, said: ‘Support from the JT Community Giving scheme offers a lifeline as the need and demand for our services is growing rapidly, and as a small team we manage our limited resources and capability accordingly. A donation of this nature will go a long way to help us to continue delivering this service provision for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.’

The charity relies on fundraising events, charitable donations, and sponsorship to keep its services free but due to the increased cost-of-living these individual donations have been reduced. Similarly, for businesses who are also affected by rising costs many now focus on volunteering as part of their CSR rather than cash donations, but due to the nature of its work, this is not a viable option for Autism Jersey.

Autism Jersey’s Adult and Family Support Services provide personalised family support, a range of family events, a befriending programme led by trained volunteers, and activities specifically designed to foster connections and provide respite. These include a siblings support group, community events like weekly coffee mornings for mums, newly introduced curry nights for dads and all important mindfulness sessions for carers, which are provided free of charge, thanks to the funding from JT.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, added: ‘This funding will hopefully help Autism Jersey respond to the growing demand for their services and ensure that individuals and families are well supported in their own needs as vital carers. At JT, we understand the immense value charities like Autism Jersey bring to our community and we are proud to support them in delivering these critical services.’

Autism Jersey remains at the forefront of autism-related services in Jersey, offering a wide range of support tailored to individuals, families, and carers. The charity, which has attained Advanced Status under the National Autistic Society Accreditation Programme, views partnerships like this one with JT as essential to achieving its mission of enabling people with autism to fulfil their potential within an inclusive community.

Sanctuary Trust is the most recent organisation to benefit from JT’s Community Giving Scheme. After applying for and receiving refurbished laptops for their members in 2024, the start of 2025 has seen a further ten smart phones being donated to the Trust-to support men experiencing homelessness, enabling them to stay connected as they work towards rebuilding their lives.

Sanctuary Trust provides accommodation and outreach programmes to empower men in crisis. Their support extends beyond accommodating 30 residents to outreach initiatives for 25 ex-residents. However, access to digital devices has remained a significant challenge for many of the men the charity assists, making communication for essential services like job searches, health appointments, and maintaining personal connections extremely difficult.

Lorna Hanby, speaking on behalf of Sanctuary Trust, said: ‘Having access to a mobile phone is something many of us take for granted, but for many of those we work with, being connected can be the first step in getting back on their feet. JT’s generosity allows us to provide this critical tool, helping individuals not just to be connected but also to help rebuild their independence and digital skills.’

JT’s contribution aligns with its mission of creating meaningful community impacts through technology.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, commented: ‘Technology really does have the power to transform lives. Sanctuary Trust is leading the way in providing not just accommodation but comprehensive support and pathways to independence for the men they help. We are honoured to contribute to such a meaningful cause by providing mobile phones that enable personal and digital connectivity.’

Sanctuary Trust provides accommodation and outreach programmes to empower those in in crisis, with support extending beyond accommodating its 30 residents across 3 residential properties, to outreach initiatives for former residents.

For more information about the work of Sanctuary Trust or to support their mission, visit https://www.sanctuarytrust.org.je/.