The long-awaited construction of a five-bedroom nursing and complex needs facility to support islanders with learning disabilities will begin next week.
Les Amis will formally commence construction on ‘Project Trinity’ following a successful £3.5m fundraising effort.
Plans for the the new facility on Rue de Bechet – which will aid islanders with additional needs due to age or dementia – were approved in September.
Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur joined Les Amis Trustees in putting the first symbolic spades in the ground today.
From Monday, Hacquoil and Cook will carry out the works designed by Page Architects.
Les Amis managing director Shaun Findlay said: “The most important thing to understand about Project Trinity is that it will enable us to continue to care for those we support when their nursing needs become more complex.”
Mr Findlay explained that the facility will also facilitate end-of-life care – something that is not possible in the charity’s existing residential homes.
“Les Amis is often the only family that some of our elderly residents have because we’ve supported them for most of their adult lives,” he said.
“That’s why this new facility is so important and needed in Jersey.”
Leslie Norman, charity chair and trustee, said the facility “has been needed for a long time”.
“We almost got there with the Maison des Amis project at the former Hampshire Hotel, but this bespoke facility will be the first of its kind in the Channel Islands,” he said.
“Getting this project underway is the perfect way to celebrate our 50th anniversary year.”