Living Longer: The Power of Generosity
- Jan 30
- 4 min read
In a world where everything moves fast, small acts of kindness still hold the power to connect us. Generosity — whether through time, care or conversation — can strengthen communities, enrich our wellbeing, and help us live longer, more meaningful lives in Jersey.
Recently, I took my much-loved 1970s portable record player sadly silent for years to the Repair Café, a wonderful community initiative set up by Jennifer Bridge and a team of volunteers who fix broken household items that might otherwise end up in landfill.
There I met Jerry, one of around eighty volunteers who give up their time to help others. Together, we dismantled the record player, tracing its tangled cables until we spotted the problem: the wires attached to the speaker had come loose. When the sound finally crackled back to life, we all cheered.
The Repair Café runs every few weeks in parish halls around the Island. There’s tea and cake, a queue of people clutching hoovers, clothing and toasters, and a steady flow of conversation. The real magic isn’t just in what gets fixed and saved from landfill, but in the connection between people — the giving and receiving, the gratitude and laughter, the quiet pride of knowing you’ve helped someone else.
That, to me, is the real community power of generous connection in Jersey.
According to the Jersey Community Foundation’s PwC report, The Value of Jersey’s Third Sector, more than 7,700 Islanders volunteer or work for good causes, contributing an estimated £230 million in value each year.
These organisations, charities, social enterprises and not-for-profits, are woven into the fabric of daily life. They care for animals, protect the environment, teach literacy, provide therapy, feed families and bring people together. They fill gaps where public services often fall short, mostly quietly and with limited budgets.
The report made three simple but powerful recommendations for us all: engage, ask and act.
Engage with the sector. Charities benefit everyone, not just those in crisis. Understand their services, attend events and take part in community life. If we don’t support them, we risk losing them.
Ask about impact. Support charities that show results and be curious about where your money and time make the biggest difference. This builds transparency and trust.
Act with generosity. Volunteer, give or share your skills. Think of it not as charity, but as a strategic investment in the wellbeing and resilience of our Island.
Giving is about connection, trust and shared purpose. Research shows that people who give are happier, healthier and more resilient. Volunteering builds belonging. Purposeful people live longer. And in a small island like ours, those ripple effects reach far and wide.
Donating financially has also been made more accessible locally through Jersey Giving. This new online platform enables people to make one-off or regular donations quickly and securely, with no hidden charges. It’s also worth celebrating that, through the updated Jersey Gift Support scheme, charities can claim an extra 25 per cent on donations from local taxpayers, at no extra cost to the giver. So if you give £8,000, it becomes £10,000 for your chosen charity, or if you give £10 a month, that adds up to £150 a year instead of £120. Multiplied by many supporters, a simple act becomes a safety net woven by the community.
Recently, I joined a discussion with the Island of Longevity — a community of local leaders that invites Islanders to explore how Jersey can support people in living longer, healthier, more connected lives. What struck me most about this “revolution” was that longevity isn’t just about medical care or financial planning. It’s about purpose and belonging.
As we age, many of us start to ask different questions: What do I want to give my time to? What legacy do I want to leave? How can I use my experience to help others?
The truth is, ageing Islanders are one of our greatest untapped resources. You carry the wisdom, skills and community spirit that our charities and neighbourhoods desperately need. Whether it’s investing in a cause you care about, joining a charity board or helping at a Repair Café, these small acts keep our Island community together — and keep us connected too.
Generosity may just be the ultimate longevity supplement.
Charity Myth Busting
Charities are part of Jersey’s social fabric, yet a few persistent myths can hold people back from supporting them.
1. “Charities should run on volunteers.”Volunteers are vital, but some roles need professional skills — counsellors, carers, finance officers. Paying staff keeps services safe, consistent and accountable.
2. “The government should do it.”Charities can adapt and innovate. They spot needs early, act fast and reach places bureaucracy can’t. Many local charities are deeply connected to their communities and provide both care and a voice.
3. “Money is wasted.”Most Jersey charities are small, transparent and run on modest budgets. Admin and running costs aren’t waste — they’re the essential core costs that keep good work safe and sustainable.
4. “There are too many charities.”Each one exists because someone saw an unmet need. Diversity brings reach: different groups supporting different people. Collaboration across the Island is increasingly recognised as a strength.
5. “My support doesn’t make a difference.”It does — especially when we act together. Hundreds of small acts keep therapy sessions open, animals cared for, and community spaces alive. When we give collectively, generosity becomes the heartbeat of an island that cares.
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