Les Cotils looks to do more after difficult commercial year
AN END to Covid worries has provided a breath of fresh air to a local charity, as it aims to grow its community outreach in 2023.
Les Cotils, which opened as an ecumenical centre in 1996, operates a range of hospitality services at its 11-acre site, including its 26 bedrooms for accommodation, a restaurant and bar service, and a host of meeting rooms available for hire.
However, this is only one side of the story, with all money raised commercially and through numerous sponsorships going straight into supporting disadvantaged islanders in its array of community projects.
Les Cotils also offers a 25% discount on its services for all charities.
‘There is so much within this community that can be done and it would be such a waste if Les Cotils was not involved,’ said managing director Fiona Naftel.
‘We have such a wonderful resource.’
Following significant investment from a local bank when Covid first struck, the charity’s work began to expand, and further investment in early 2021 became a turning point for community involvement.
‘There was a lightbulb moment after the second lockdown,’ said Mrs Naftel.
A handful of initiatives were started, such as the delivery of 180 meals a week to financially struggling families over the lockdown and work with the Health Improvement Commission to deliver 5,000 pieces of fruit weekly to junior schools.
Last year was a difficult year commercially for Les Cotils, but a mixture of a Covid hangover and a rapidly increasing cost of living crisis failed to put a dent in the charity’s work.
‘For a lot of people in the hospitality industry, 2022 was challenging in terms of rising fuel costs, salary costs and also the ability to recruit staff, but we survived,’ said Mrs Naftel. ‘We have such a loyal staff base.’
The site was host to numerous events for families selected by different charities, including a Boxing Day lunch with a clothes and toy bank, a Jubilee party that was attended by more than 200 and weekly free meals in its coffee shop.
The charity also opened a new peace garden last year, which won two awards in the Floral Guernsey competition.
‘One of our highlights in 2022 was the opening of the Pat Merriman peace garden, a beautiful and quiet space for the people of Guernsey and visitors alike, to enjoy the wonderful landscaping or just sit awhile in this tranquil space,’ said Mrs Naftel.
The charity is looking to expand its activities in 2023, with the main focus being on its assisted employment scheme, which has been set up to help islanders who are struggling to find work elsewhere in the community.
‘It could be anything from they may have come out of prison, they may have mental health challenges – all sorts of reasons,’ said Mrs Naftel
We try to support and mentor them so that they can build their confidence.’
