A CHARITY that supports Islanders with learning disabilities has received £40,000 towards its care home project.
The grant, from the Jersey Community Foundation, will support the development of Les Amis’ Maison des Amis facility. The charity bought the former Hampshire Hotel in Val Plaisant last year and is converting it into the first centre of its kind in the Island to offer a higher level of residential nursing care to people with Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities, as well as those with early-onset dementia.
The buildings will also include several self-contained apartments for those who are able to maintain their independence. The purchase of the former hotel was made possible following a large private donation to the charity.
Les Amis said the project was the largest fund-raising challenge it had ever conducted. The Jersey Community Foundation, which was set up in 2020 as a grant-making platform, gave the charity £40,000 from the Greville Bathe Fund.
Les Amis managing director Shaun Findlay said: ‘When we took possession of the former hotel a new chapter started in the Les Amis story. It is a landmark development which acknowledges that people with learning disabilities are entitled to the very best health care and specialist elderly care.’
He added: ‘Jersey desperately needs a facility that will offer people with special needs lifelong care, especially as the ageing population puts pressure on existing facilities.
‘Les Amis needs to raise significant external financial support and we are incredibly pleased that the Jersey Community Foundation is supporting this project. Our fundraising efforts will continue as we seek further grant or sponsorship support to help us provide this vital facility.’
