Work to start soon on new specialist housing development
Hope may finally be in sight for islanders with learning disabilities who have spent nearly a decade living in ‘less than ideal’ conditions in a care home.
Former residents of Sunnybrook, a States home for people with learning disabilities, have been living in Duchess of Kent House since 2016.
But it has been announced a specialist residential development near Sandy Hook, St Sampson’s, will finally be completed by summer 2025.
It will house 14 people, including some from Sunnybrook, which was sold for £760,000 in 2022 after being deemed as unsuitable for States redevelopment.
Work is due to start on the new site, La Vieille Plage, later this year.
It is part of the States’ Affordable Housing Development Programme, being overseen by Employment & Social Security.
As well as Sunnybrook residents, people from other homes will also be moving to the new site.
‘All of the people living in Sunnybrook will be prioritised,’ said service manager for the Adult Disability Service Mandy Mackelworth.
Their ages range from mid-30s to mid-50s.
‘This client group is not living in ideal conditions at the moment,’ said Employment & Social Security president Deputy Peter Roffey.
‘And obviously we want to help out where we can.’
The land was purchased several years ago and was targeted by ESS for social housing, but after an approach from Health & Social Care it was agreed that it could be used as new special care accommodation.
This will be similar to that operated by HSC at Le Vieux Jardin by Nouvelle Maraitaine.
It will comprise private residential units, as well as communal and staff facilities, which will provide greater choice for residents and their visitors.
Residents will be able to live as independently as possible, but with support from HSC staff 24 hours a day.
The fully-accessible ground floor will include therapeutic facilities including a sensory room and specialist garden equipment which will enhance daily activities.
GHA chief executive Vic Slade said it was pleased that part of the project would provide fit-for-purpose homes for some of the island’s most vulnerable residents.
‘HSC understands what the service users need and our job is just to try to make it happen,’ she said.
HSC president Deputy Al Brouard was delighted that the project was progressing.
‘This specialist housing is vital to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. Through bespoke design, facilities such as La Vieille Plage enable a better quality of life, whilst promoting independence, safety, and inclusion,’ he said.
Ms Slade said the build programme was expected to take about 18 months.
‘All being well we hope for completion in summer 2025.’
