Head of Guernsey Welfare Service steps down

The head of a welfare charity in Guernsey is stepping down after 14 years.

Sue Le Friec has managed Guernsey Welfare Service (GWS) for five years, but said it was time to step down and spend more time with her grandchildren.

Ms Le Friec said she had met "loads of incredible people" while working for the service, adding it had "changed completely" since she joined.

"It was a very difficult decision for me because I loved my job... I'm just hoping we find the right person to take over from me," she added.

Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey, she said: "I think I've just reached the stage where I no longer want the responsibility of running a big charity.

"I've become a grandparent in the last couple of years... I'd like to have more flexibility to be able to spend time with them.

"I've met loads of incredible people through doing this job... our client base, our supporters, our volunteers, lots of amazing people."

GWS provides showers and clothes washing facilities, as well as food and drink from its drop-in centre in St Peter Port.

Ms Le Friec said one of the biggest changes to the service was the introduction of its foodbank in 2013.

She said: "The charity really was just doing food vouchers or fuel vouchers to families or to pensioners.

"There was this huge gap of single people who we weren't able to support.

"We still restrict our vouchers to families and pensioners, but we allow access to the foodbank for anybody who might be struggling."

She said demand for the service continued, adding the charity received "incredible support from the public".

She said: "There are people on this island who are struggling and there are people on this island who want to be able to help others.

"We do need to be non-judgemental. There is a fair amount of judgement out there sometimes.

"Having worked at Guernsey Welfare for 14 years, I realise that most of us really are only just one step away of needing a support from a service like ours.

"Any of us can fall into ill health, relationships breaking down or loss of family members. All these sorts of things really can turn your world upside down."

Ms Le Friec said she would remain in the post until a replacement has been found.

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