Salvation Army launches housing and food store community projects

Sunday 20 October 2024

The Salvation Army has formally launched its new housing project to support families facing homelessness, as well as a community store to provide shopping with "dignity” for struggling islanders.

The charity has completed construction of 'The Pantry Store', which will sell subsidised items to islanders identified as being in need of extra support.

Additionally, the Salvation Army has launched a housing initiative, called May Cottages, comprising a two-bedroom cottage, a one-bedroom home and a two-bedroom duplex located behind its main building in Minden Street.

Pictured: Salvation Army officer Richard Nunn pictured outside May Cottages earlier this month while the final phases of work were being completed.

The new accommodation is intended to provide supported housing to families who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless.

An opening ceremony was held on Friday afternoon to mark the official launch of both projects, with May Cottages anticipated to begin welcoming families from the start of 2025.

Opening hours for the Pantry Store will be announced once additional staff are in place.

Dr Karen Kyd, wife of Lieutenant-Governor Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, helped to formally open the new projects.

Pictured: Dr Karen Kyd speaking at the launch ceremony for the Pantry Store and May Cottages projects.

Speaking to Express, she said: "It's fantastic for Jersey – this is a project with true passion, and that's how it's been built and developed and you can see that here today."

"It is really going to help people who are in need here in Jersey and need support, both in terms of the [May] Cottages and the Pantry Store."

Salvation Army officer Alice Nunn said: "The building work has finished and the projects will be opening soon.

"We're just so thankful that it's actually got to this stage – in the early days it felt like 'gosh are we ever going to get here'.

"It's amazing to be here, amazing that we can change the way we do our foodbank, that we can give people dignity and respect and with May Cottages, just an awesome privilege to be able to offer supported accommodation to families and be able to do that in a way with love and care and holistic support."

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