The one off grant of £65,000 from Guernsey's Health Committee will protect services, especially for youngsters.

Autism Guernsey has received BBC Children in Need grants for several years but its application for funding for 2025 was turned down.

This left it short of money to deliver services, especially to youngsters and their families.

Deputy Al Brouard, who heads up Guernsey's health department, says the work Autism Guernsey does is essential:

"While Committee finances are tight, it is important that Autism Guernsey is properly supported for the next year.

"The impact of Autism Guernsey needing to reduce or withdraw services would be felt by those that most need it, leading to increased demand on health and social care services with added cost overall."

The chair of Autism Guernsey, David Harry, says the £65,000 grant is a one off and is designed to enable the charity to put itself on a stable financial footing during 2025:

“Autism Guernsey is grateful for the support from the Committee for Health & Social Care.

"This provides the funding we need for 2025 to ensure we can continue to make a positive difference to those with autism and their families.

"We will take this opportunity to develop, in partnership with the Committee for Health & Social Care, a sustainable plan to put the charity on a more secure financial footing going forwards.”

Deputy Heidi Soulsby, who is the States lead for the Voluntary Sector and Commissioning, says Autism Guernsey works closely with Health and Social Care:

"It is well understood that there is increasing demand for support across the spectrum of services delivered in health and care, and the services offered by charities plays a crucial role in meeting that demand.

"Where there is an opportunity to commission services through the voluntary sector which will deliver value for money and better outcomes for the community, we are keen to put such arrangements in place.”