Les Amis reveal location for Nursing and Specialist Care Accommodation

Les Amis is delighted to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a property to provide specialist nursing care and sheltered accommodation for islanders with learning disabilities and associated conditions. Les Amis expects to take possession of the Hampshire Hotel site at Val Plaisant towards the end of 2021 after the hotel business completes its final season.

‘Maison Les Amis’, as it will be known, will offer long-term residential accommodation to adults with learning disabilities who have nursing or special care needs including those with early on-set dementia which particularly affects those with pre-existing learning disabilities. The buildings will include a number of self- contained apartments for those able to maintain some independence into their later years.

Shaun Findlay, Managing Director of Les Amis, said: “It’s been a long journey to get us to this point, so we are thrilled to be able to announce that with the support of a very significant private donation we now have a firm site in a convenient location to offer services and accommodation at a higher level. With the number of those with dementia on the island set to double over the next 20 years, we consider that developing Maison Les Amis is vital to providing the exceptional long-term care which we are known for.

“Whilst Maison Les Amis will offer huge benefits to the community, it is also a very significant project for a charitable organisation such as Les Amis, and one that will require external financial support. As such, we will be continuing with our own fundraising efforts as well as actively seeking further grant or sponsorship support.”

The central location, as well as reducing Les Amis’ carbon footprint, will offer residents and service users the benefit of easy access to good transport links, the local community and high street shops. The site also affords plenty of parking and, as an existing building, will allow the charity to save some costs on construction.

Plans are now being progressed for the repurposing of the existing buildings and site to meet new standards and to enable state of the art equipment to be installed to help care for the increasing number of islanders living with a form of dementia.

Shaun said: “This is fantastic news for our island where the growing and ageing population is putting existing services under incredible pressure. Having these facilities to care for those with special needs throughout their lives will provide them with a better quality life and be a great comfort and support for their families and loved ones.”