Les Amis moves into the heart of the community

Les Amis is delighted to announce that it has transferred the former Hampshire Hotel to Andium Homes in exchange for 13 apartments in a separate and dedicated block at the recently completed Limes development in Green Street, St Helier.

The agreement is a positive turnaround following the difficult decision by the charity to halt its Maison des Amis project just last year.

Les Amis can now offer Islanders with learning disabilities and associated conditions sheltered accommodation in the heart of town. In addition to the 12 one-bedroom apartments and three parking spaces, Les Amis will own a two-bedroom apartment, for which it will seek planning permission to be used as a base for on-call staff.

Pictured on site (L-R): From Les Amis - MD, Shaun Findlay, and Registered Managers, Kerri-Ann Frain and Katie Foley; and from Andium, Regeneration and Placemaking Lead, Peter Le Gresley.

Shaun Findlay, Les Amis' Managing Director, said: "After last year's setback with Project Maison des Amis, we were looking for a solution that met our service-users' needs without the added risks of developing bespoke facilities in the current economic climate. We found this in The Limes. They say as one door closes, another opens. In this case 13 doors opened, and I couldn't be more thankful to Andium Homes for all their help and support."

Peter Le Gresley, Regeneration and Placemaking Lead, Andium Homes added: "We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Les Amis, enabling the charity to swiftly access newly refurbished facilities for the immediate benefit of their clients.

The acquisition of the former Hampshire Hotel site enhances our significant regeneration programme in the North of St Helier, delivering much needed new homes for the Island. It demonstrates our commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive communities and homes our clients are proud to live in.

Hear directly from Shaun Findlay and Kate Jennings during a site visit with BBC Radio Jersey below:

Les Amis continues to seek a suitable opportunity elsewhere to develop a specialist unit for Les Amis residents who require increased nursing support as they age, face the challenges of dementia and/or require end of life care.

Shaun Findlay shared with Channel 103 that a planning application has been submitted for a new smaller, bespoke site, which will accommodate up to five people in a 'central location'.

Watch the BBC Channel Islands News footage to see inside the apartments:

See the story also featured on ITVX, Bailiwick Express, BBC and Channel Eye alongside coverage from the Jersey Evening Post shown below: