The closure of a mental health charity in Jersey has been declared a “sad day” by businesses and users.
Trustees of Jersey Recovery College (JRC) said they had been forced to close due to increased demand for services, rising costs and falling income and donations.
JRC has been helping people since 2017, with a focus on raising awareness through mental health education sessions.
Robert Surcouf, from the Jersey Charities Association, said the charity was a “fantastic team” helping individuals and businesses “better understand mental health”.
“This is a tremendous loss and a worrying one at this time,” he said.
“We know that the teams on the ground were working hard to find a solution but some very difficult decisions had to be made.
“This is a wake-up call not just to the government but to our whole community. We're very lucky on this island, we have some great charities and lots of people volunteering and donating, but it's not guaranteed.”
Mind Jersey said the news was a “sad day for Jersey's communities and voluntary sector”.
“Managing the complexity of distress associated with mental illness requires a range of approaches,” the report said.
“It is vital that we continue to provide community-based social and educational approaches to reduce stigma and reach people who are marginalized in the community for reasons other than mental illness.”
Emily Jane Smith, who supports the charity through another organisation, said it was a shock.
“I think a lot of people on the island are really going to miss everything from the anxiety classes to swimming in the ocean. I think people are going to miss that,” she said.
The JRC advised those affected by the news to seek support from other organisations such as Mind Jersey, Samaritans and Liberate.
