JT’s Community Giving Scheme has donated the connectivity needed for the new security cameras designed to protect the restored Pat Merriman Peace Garden in the Les Cotils following vandalism earlier this year.

Designed to be a restorative outdoor space to help people undergoing a healing process from physical or mental ill health. The garden planners consulted with Alzheimer’s, Autism and Dementia experts when it was being designed, so that it could be an inclusive area for everyone.

In April, the garden suffered over £7,000 worth of damage due to vandalism. Several trees were destroyed by arson, the walkway was ruined, and wildlife disrupted when granite was deliberately pushed into the pond.

Local businessman, Matt Thornton, co-founder of Cortex Technologies heard about the vandalism through the local media and donated £1,500 for repairs. Another friend of Les Cotils donated new sleepers for the bank under the tulip tree, after the previous ones had been soaked in petrol and set on fire. JT’s donation is the final piece of an amazing community effort to help restore and protect the garden.

Erin Adkins, Head of Operations at Les Cotils Centre, said: ‘The Peace Garden is a place of tranquillity and while we’ve been reluctant to install cameras, sadly we have been left with little choice.’

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, said: In a stressful world, we all need a place to pause and recharge. The Pat Merriman Peace Garden offers just that—a peaceful spot with beautiful views of St Peter Port to find calm and inspiration. When it was damaged, it was a real blow to the community, but the way everyone came together to restore it shows just how much it means to us all. It’s a reminder that even in the face of senseless acts, we can come together and care for what really matters.

Erin continued: ‘We are so grateful to JT and the rest of the community who have pulled together to rebuild the gardens. When Matt reached out to us, it restored my faith in humankind. Most people don’t realise what Les Cotils does and if he and JT hadn’t come forward, we would have had to spend money that would have otherwise gone towards helping others. We’re delighted that together we could bring the garden back to its natural state, and we hope that islanders will continue to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity for many years to come.’

The Little Chapel Foundation, the latest recipient of JT’s Community Giving scheme, has received a mobile data device, which means the charity can now take donations by card as well as cash.

One of Guernsey’s most loved heritage sites, The Little Chapel, is renowned for its intricate design and historical significance. Managed by a charitable foundation, it remains open to the public without an entry fee, relying entirely on donations to sustain its operations and continue the mission of its preservation.

Previously, without a data connection, many well-meaning visitors were unable to donate to the foundation unless they had cash. With the donated data device and 12 months of free data, visitors can now easily ‘tap’ into an online donation system, making seamless donations via their credit and debit cards.

Joachim “JJ” Paes, a Councillor and the Treasurer of the Little Chapel Foundation, said: “The Foundation depends 100% upon the generosity of the local community and visitors. We are so grateful to JT for their help with connecting this iconic attraction to the technology needed to enable people to donate in seconds. Something as simple as this gives us a new lifeline. This generous donation means more people can contribute to our goal to raise much-needed funds to fully restore The Little Chapel, which includes plans for wheelchair-friendly walkways and woodland gardens. For us, it’s helping to ensure its survival for future generations.”

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships, added: “Relying solely on donations can be a real challenge for charities, which is why we set up JT Community Giving, so that each year we could help as many small organisations as possible that don’t have the means to fund basic digital equipment or large fundraising campaigns. The Little Chapel remains one of the island’s most popular tourism attractions, celebrated for its remarkable detail and fascinating history, and we’re delighted to have played a small part in helping them to maintain this wonderful part of our heritage.”

JT’s Community Giving scheme has assisted over 300 charities since November 2022 when the scheme began, spanning a diverse range of demographics and providing essential community services.

For more information or to apply, visit JT Community Giving.

Thanks to JT’s Community Giving scheme 153 islanders enjoyed a fish ‘n chip lunch this summer.

The Guernsey Volunteer Service (GVS) coordinated this tasty treat for members of The Russells and Jubilee social clubs.

The Russells held their Fish n Chip week on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th of July, while Jubilee followed suit in August. Typically, clients attending the social clubs pay £9.50, which covers transport and lunch. Thanks to JT’s contribution, all 153 clients enjoyed their delicious meal free of charge this year.

Mandy Les Bachelet, Manager at the Guernsey Volunteer Service, expressed her gratitude, saying, ‘We used to take our clients out for a meal during summer, but due to mobility issues, we’re no longer able to do that. A delivered Fish ‘n Chip supper is a much anticipated treat for our clients and our volunteers.

Our clients are generally elderly islanders; we’re so grateful to JT for their kind and generous donation; it’s a real highlight of the summer for everyone, the donation has made this much-loved tradition accessible to all.’

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships at JT, added, ‘Our contribution means more than just providing a meal – it’s about keeping the laughter, the stories, and the companionship that these gatherings bring, alive.  We are proud to have supported the GVS’s Fish n’ Chip Week, helping them to enable these precious moments to continue despite financial or mobility challenges. It’s the small things that remind us of the strength found in community connections.”

The Guernsey Volunteer Service runs two social clubs, The Russells and Jubilee, and delivers meals on wheels, bathing services, and trolley shops, making a significant difference in the lives of many islanders. For more information about GVS and how you can support their mission, visit GVS.

JT Community Giving Scheme is open to all registered not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands, for more information please visit JT Community Giving.

Vive La Vallette is the latest Guernsey charity to receive support from JT’s Community Giving scheme. JT’s donation of a live webcam, now enables Islanders to access live video footage of sea conditions and local weather at the pools.

Helen Bonner-Morgan, Operations Director at Vive La Vallette, said: ‘Thanks to JT’s sponsorship of the webcam, visitors now have real-time access to the weather and sea conditions allowing them to plan their visits more effectively and arrive at the best times to enjoy the pools. Some pool users have already told us how the live feed helps them to make the most of their lunch time and builds excitement for their swim.
‘We believe it enhances the overall experience, but importantly it also promotes safety by enabling visitors to make informed decisions. Ultimately, the webcam boosts visitor engagement and satisfaction..’

Since the installation, the webcam has received an overwhelmingly positive response from regular visitors. Many appreciate the convenience of being able to see the sea conditions before making the trip, while some parents have also found it helpful for planning family outings.

Helen continued: ‘Feedback has been brilliant and reinforces how technology can enhance the public’s experience of our amenities. We’re very grateful to the JT Community Giving scheme for seeing the potential and supporting this installation.’

La Vallette is a much-loved location, and this new feature further enhances its appeal as a prime destination for locals and tourists alike. With this latest development, Vive La Vallette continues its commitment to providing a thriving community space.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships, said: “La Vallette is more than just a historic outdoor bathing pool, it’s a much-loved spot for sea swimming enthusiasts. With the introduction of a live webcam, visitors can now check sea conditions at any time they want, it’s modern technology helping those that love everything about seaside swimming. This digital addition ensures that this beloved local spot remains accessible and safe for year-round enjoyment, preserving its natural beauty while enhancing the experience for everyone.”

JT Community Giving Scheme is open to all registered not-for-profit organisations, schools, and community groups across the Channel Islands, for more information please visit JT Community Giving and to check live footage at the Bathing Pools click here.

Safer, a Guernsey charity that supports and empowers those experiencing domestic abuse, has launched its first community ‘Safer Space’ at the Guille-Alles library with help from JT.

The local telco has donated two mobile handsets with striking purple cases, the colour globally recognised as a symbol of support for domestic abuse charities, through its Community Giving scheme.

Anyone wanting to access help, can go to the Guille-Alles library and ask to use the mobile phone.  The receptionist will direct them to a discreet and private space where they can make the call to Safer.

This year Safer has worked with many local businesses to create more physical Safer spaces within the community. These spaces will have purple mobiles with numbers for Safer and other support services pre-programmed, allowing victims to safely and quickly contact the charity without fear of being tracked by their abuser.

Antonia Rainbow, Training Manager at Safer explained: ‘When people think about domestic abuse they usually think about physical abuse in a relationship, however, it can take many forms.  There is also sexual abuse, stalking and harassment, economic abuse and emotional and psychological abuse.  Most victims entering the Safer service will be experiencing multiple forms of abuse so it’s vital they can contact us safely and confidently, without the perpetrator being aware.’

Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexuality. While it occurs in all types of relationships, most incidents involve men abusing women. Sadly, statistics indicate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will face domestic abuse at some point in their lives.

Antonia Rainbow, continued: ‘Alongside the phone at Guille-Alles library we are looking for a location for our second purple phone.  Our hope is to have many more Safer spaces around the Island so that sufferers can visit without causing suspicion to their abusers.  The only way we can stop domestic abuse is to talk about it and we’re really grateful to JT for joining the conversation by making this much needed donation and helping us to raise awareness.’

Pip Carpenter, Head of Consumer Markets and Community Partnerships, at JT said: ‘Our decision to support Safer reflects our genuine commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community. Our goal is to support the dedicated individuals who assist those in our community who are suffering silently. We believe that access to technology can significantly improve the lives of individuals in vulnerable situations by giving them a vital lifeline to seek help.’’