Care home renews fundraising calls after new £2m extension

Saturday 27 October 2018

A charity dedicated to looking after for physically disabled islanders has renewed its calls for donations after stating that a new £2million care home extension has left its funds "in need of replenishing."

Jersey Cheshire Home’s ‘Big Build’ project has seen nine new bedrooms, a dedicated therapy room, an extra lift and a meeting space added to the charity’s site at Rope Walk.

The home's new facilities have been completed as the result of an extensive fundraising campaign to gather the £2million needed for the build.

But Home Chairman Jim Hopley said that the amount raised didn't quite meet what was needed, meaning that the charity had to dip into its own funds. He has now said the charity will have to pour even more effort into their fundraising.

“We embarked on a major fundraising drive, but we have had to dip into our existing resources and those funds are now in need of replenishing. So, we will be redoubling our efforts to replace the money that has been spent," he commented.

Video: Jersey Cheshire Home has finally completed their 12-month construction project to expand their residential facility (Youtube/Jersey Cheshire Home).

The extension, which took a year to complete, was formally opened by the home’s patron, His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton, at a ceremony last week. 

The Home’s ‘Big Build Memorial Garden’ was also unveiled at the ceremony which commemorates all those who have used the charity’s facilities in the 35 years it has been open.

Commenting on the extension, Jersey Cheshire Home General Manager David Lord said: “It has been heartening for everyone involved to see how happy our residents are with the new facilities. It is a high quality facility but we have managed to maintain the personal touch in a modern building.”

Pictured: The charity's patron, the Lieutenant-Governor, formally opening the expanded home's new commemorative garden. (Jersey Cheshire Home)

Residents moving into the new part of the building have personalised their rooms by choosing the décor and the colour schemes.

Mr Lord added: “We are hugely grateful to the architects at BDK and the Rok team who helped ensure that the wellbeing of the residents was a key consideration throughout the construction phase.”