Islanders who have been supported by the now-defunct Jersey Recovery College have been telling Channel 103 why the 'vital service' will be so 'sorely missed'.

There has been an outpouring of sadness from the community after the mental health charity announced on Monday (19 August) that it had closed with immediate effect.

JRC, which offered a range of educational courses on dealing with various mental health issues, cited 'increasing demands on the service', 'growing costs' and a 'reduction in income and donations' as the reasons behind making the 'difficult decision' to shut for good.

READ MORE: Jersey Recovery College closes due to increasing costs

Jersey Recovery College

Sofia Marques suffers with anxiety and PTSD, and says the service really turned her life around: 

"I was able to connect and I was able to recover. I was able to feel myself again by connecting with other people and learning techniques to help me improve myself.

"I learnt how to deal with my own anxiety and my own PTSD - it was very, very good."

Sofia Marques

Sofia also told us she's now worried where to go for mental health support, as she sits on the waiting list for help from Health and Community Services (HCS): 

"The waiting lists to go through the GP are so, so long. I have already been waiting six months for talking therapy. 

"When I couldn't see my therapist, this became my go-to, but now - where's my go-to?

"I am very sad and very angry. I am also very worried and am starting to have anxiety all over again. 

"We really need something like this in Jersey because it is free and it really helps save so many lives."

65-year-old Bobby, who wanted to remain anonymous, has spoken about his time with the JRC service, which helped him deal with complex trauma: 

"I'm now in a position where I can talk with a professional and I have a complete understanding of myself and others.

"I think the way they run the courses... it's just laid a good foundation for everybody that attended. We were all helping each other.

"It is going to be sorely, sorely missed.

"I don't know how they're going to replace it, I just don't.

"For me to go ahead now (and find more support), I'll have to find finance, which I haven't got."

Jersey Recovery College

In a very brief statement, the Health Minister said he was sorry to hear of the Jersey Recovery College's closure.

Deputy Tom Binet said:

"Health and Community Services have worked closely with Jersey Recovery College to provide additional support in recent months.

"We are now considering how the services offered by the Recovery College on behalf on HCS can be provided in an alternative way as soon as possible.”

The Health Minister has not confirmed whether Jersey Recovery College contacted his department for further funds, and what additional support, if any, was provided. 

Health Minister Tom Binet

Mind Jersey, another local mental health charity, described the closure of JRC as ' a sad day for the community and voluntary sector in Jersey'. 

"We need a number of different approaches to manage the complexity of distress associated with mental illness.

"It is vital that we continue to provide community based social and educational approaches to reduce stigma and reach people who are alienated from communities for no other reason than from having a mental illness.

"Anyone in need of support please contact Mind Jersey on 01534 880584/admin@mindjersey.org or visit our drop in centre in Seale Steet by the side of St Helier Town hall open 10am - 4pm."