A NEW nursing and complex-needs facility which “will provide continuity of care in a safe, purpose-built environment” is set to be officially opened tomorrow.
Maison des Amis – which sits on Rue du Bechet in Trinity – will provide higher nursing care for Islanders who have additional needs due to age or dementia. Charity Les Amis raised £3.5 million to purchase the property and transform it into the facility.
Shaun Findlay, Les Amis managing director, said: “The official opening of Maison des Amis marks a significant milestone for Les Amis and for the provision of specialist care in Jersey.
“This facility has been designed to meet the changing needs of Islanders with learning disabilities who require higher levels of nursing, dementia or end-of-life care.
“Until now, people often faced uncertainty about where they could receive the support they needed as their needs became more complex. Maison des Amis will provide continuity of care in a safe, purpose-built environment, allowing residents to remain within the Les Amis family while receiving the specialist medical and nursing support they require.
“This project has only been possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, supporters and the wider community and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped turn this vision into a reality.”
The Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd, who is a patron of the charity, will officially open Maison des Amis.
Paul Routier, chair and trustee of Les Amis, added: “The opening of Maison des Amis is a proud and important moment for Les Amis.
“We recognised a growing need for specialist nursing and complex-needs care in Jersey and this facility will help ensure that some of our most vulnerable Islanders can continue to receive the highest standard of support close to their families and communities.”
Meanwhile, service users from Les Amis will be able to look forward to a new outdoor space later this week, thanks to a £45,000 grant from the Freemasons’ Charity Community Fund.
The funding will support Project Trinity, a scheme and outdoor space where people can improve their wellbeing, maintain their independence and connect with others.
As part of the project, 20 Jersey Freemasons volunteered their time to help shape the site through hard landscaping works, planting shrubbery and painting perimeter walls and containers.
Mr Findlay said: “We’re extremely grateful to Jersey Freemasons for their generous support of Project Trinity. The involvement of local Freemasons as volunteers demonstrates the power of community partnership and will help create a lasting legacy for Jersey.”
Tim Dallas-Chapman, head of Jersey Freemasons, said: “We’re delighted to support Project Trinity and continue our long-standing relationship with Les Amis.
“This project combines funding with hands-on volunteering and will deliver lasting benefits for people across the Island. We’re proud that local Freemasons can play an active role in bringing this important project to life.”
