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Learning disability charity opens care home

Roseanna LeconteJersey
BBC A purpose-made bedroom in a nursing home. There is a bed with white bedsheets on the right, and a green armchair on the left. There is also a grey set of drawers. At the back, french windows open up to a paved outdoor area with plant pots. BBC
Les Amis has opened a nursing facility that will provide specialist care for islanders with learning disabilities

A Jersey charity that supports people with learning disabilities has opened a specialist care home.

The Les Amis facility in Trinity, which has five bedrooms and cost £3.5m, will provide care for people who have additional needs due to age or dementia and was funded by donations from individuals and charitable trusts.

Leslie Norman, chair of the charity, said: "It's a culmination of 10 years' work so it really is outstanding."

He said it would provide continuity of care: "The idea is that our residents at Les Amis, when they need nursing be it dementia or physical and in particular end-of-life care, they will be able to have it with staff who they're used to."

The facility, called Maison des Amis, was initially going to be based at the former Hampshire Hotel in St Helier, but plans were halted in 2023 due to commissioning issues.

A man in his seventies smiles at the camera - the photo captures his head and shoulders. He has glasses with grey frames. He is wearing a suit and tie. The shirt has a square pink and blue pattern. The jacket is grey. He's wearing a pin badge with the charity's logo. Behind him is garden fencing, and behind that are some trees.
Leslie Norman, who chairs Les Amis, said the facility would bring a "great deal of comfort" to residents' families

Norman said the new facility would bring " a great deal of comfort" to the families of residents.

He said: "It's a great relief to know that not only will we look after them during their ordinary lives, but when it comes to the end-of-life care we can carry on looking after them to the standard that they know we insist on."

A bathroom fitted with specialist equipment, such as an accessible shower with a seat and handles. On the right there is a toilet, and one the left is the sink. Next to the sink there is a grey pedal bin.
Each bedroom has a bathroom fitted with specialist equipment to accommodate people with additional needs

The facility was officially opened by Jersey's Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd, who is a patron of the charity.

He said "Congratulations to the board, congratulations to the leadership, because it all comes from the top, and it's all for the goodness of this wonderful island community.

"It's a great pleasure and it's a complete honour to be here. Let's hope this building has many many happy decades ahead of it."

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