What is Jersey’s “third” sector?
The “third” sector refers to the part of Jersey’s economy that comprises non-profit-making organisations and associations. This includes registered charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and other non-profit organisations and housing associations. It is called the “third” sector because the first and second sectors are the public and private sectors respectively.
“I am privileged to see, at first and often raw, first hand, an incredibly diverse third sector, working tirelessly on a daily basis to underpin social inclusion and strengthening our community’s resilience, health and wellbeing. Jersey really has a culture of giving - something we should not take for granted in perpetuity – but something we should recognise as special and vital. Without the people who work so diligently in the third sector, many others in Jersey would simply fall through the cracks of society to the detriment to our community and also our economy.”
About this report
As islanders, many of us have experienced first-hand the central role the third sector plays in our society and community. But what does this add up to? What do we know about the sector as a whole? How big is the contribution it makes? What are the priority challenges and opportunities facing the sector? What does the sector need to ensure it’s fit for the future?
To answer these questions, in summer 2024, PwC Channel Islands were commissioned to produce this report by the Jersey Community Foundation in collaboration with partners including Jersey Overseas Aid and the Jersey Community Partnership.
The purpose of the report is to:
- Provide an up-to-date overview of the current size and shape of Jersey’s third sector.
- Demonstrate its contribution to the island’s economy and society.
- Share insights about the sector’s ambitions, challenges and opportunities.
- Make recommendations for further developing the sector.
We hope it serves as a key point of reference from which we can all strengthen our understanding and appreciation of Jersey’s third sector and how we can collectively provide support going forward.
The value of Jersey’s third sector
This report, commissioned by the Jersey Community Foundation in collaboration with Jersey Overseas Aid and the Jersey Community Partnership, provides a comprehensive overview of the value of Jersey’s third sector. The sector comprises charities, voluntary groups, social enterprises, social housing providers, and other non-profit organisations, all of whom play a crucial role in the island’s community and economy.
For the first time, this report combines quantitative Jersey data from different sources with the results of a representative sector survey, in order to provide new insights about the sector’s value to Jersey, challenges and opportunities.
The following third sector organisations were surveyed in this report:
“We believe everyone has a part to play in the success of Jersey’s third sector. This report sets out forward-looking recommendations for the sector itself, for government, for islanders and the wider community, and for business. We hope that these serve as a call to action to support the sector, against which progress can be tracked in the future.”
Key findings
Contribution to Jersey’s economy:
- Jersey’s third sector comprises at least 775 organisations.
- It contributes at least £230m in economic value to Jersey.
- More than 7,700 islanders are either employed by, or volunteer for these organisations.
- The sector employs around 3,400 individuals (2,300 FTEs).
- At least 5,800 islanders actively volunteer (as reported by respondents) on a regular basis, equivalent to 9% of the working age population.
- Across all third sector organisations, it is estimated that volunteers provide the equivalent of 1,700 FTE jobs.
- The sector’s total local estimated expenditure is approximately £190m, with registered charities reporting £139m of expenditure in 2023.
- Within the organisations responding to the survey, volunteers outnumber paid staff three to one, although paid employees contribute twice as many hours.
Survey respondents’ top challenges
Survey respondents’ top opportunities
The interplay between the full list of challenges and opportunities suggests that there is a mismatch between how short term challenges and longer term opportunities are being prioritised.
Specifically, by unlocking opportunities around technology adoption and addressing challenges to impact reporting, organisations could address barriers to fundraising and opportunities to expand programmes. For instance, by using impact reporting to clearly articulate the positive impact they are already making, organisations can tell a compelling story that resonates with potential donors and stakeholders, improving financial resilience. One clear outcome evident from the survey is that Jersey’s third sector is indispensable to the island's economic and social fabric. This report highlights the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the sector’s sustainability and growth.
By embracing innovation, celebrating best practice, diversifying funding sources, and fostering closer collaboration with both the public and private sectors, Jersey’s third sector can continue to thrive and make a significant impact on the island’s future.
Recommendations
- Priorities for Jersey’s third sector
- Priorities for islanders and the wider community
- Priorities for Government and the public sector
- Priorities for Jersey’s private sector
Priorities for Jersey’s third sector
- Develop a long-term vision for your organisation.
- Prioritise data collection and reporting of results.
- Consider what further resources you can share.
- Build financial resilience based on actionable evidence.
- Build capacity in both the paid and voluntary workforces.
- Innovate to deliver change.
The value of Jersey’s third sector
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