Lt-Governor Sir Richard Cripwell cut the ribbon this week on the two residential cabins.
One is wheelchair-accessible, housing six children and one supervisor, and the other houses eight children and a supervisor.
‘We’ve had this opportunity to broaden that out for all additional needs youths across the island and the broader young adult community, which desperately needs life skills support care,’ said director Ed Jones.
‘We have been lucky enough to find funding to build the first two residential cabins, which complement the wilderness area.’
The wilderness area has been used by children for several years for camping, barbecues and interaction with nature.
There are future plans for a small farm at the site.
‘It will be a great benefit for many children, whether it’s those in mainstream schooling who need additional support, or the children who really do struggle,’ said Mr Jones.
‘For some children, it takes the same amount of education to make scrambled eggs as it does to get a degree.’
The site is States-owned and The Village has been leased it for 25 years free of charge.
It also includes the existing village hall which has been open for about eight years, primarily for children at Le Murier.
The facilities will provide training opportunities for young people with additional needs.
‘They need repetition, but they get there in the end. We’re trying to allow them to live their lives as independently as possible,’ said director and founder Gary Dovey.
‘I’ve been trying to do this for 30 years in that school, and you just can’t.
‘When we go and stay in the cottages in Herm, even for just two days, they come back as different people.’
Foundations have been laid for the next two cabins, but £600,000 is still needed to complete the £2m. project.
Once the third and fourth cabins have been completed, the site will be able to accommodate a full year group.
The Village is now operational and will be able to be rented out to Duke of Edinburgh groups or visiting youth sports groups to generate further funds and keep the project sustainable.
‘We are in a strong position to keep the charity moving forward, both in terms of fundraising and ongoing concern,’ said Mr Jones.
‘We can’t wait to see it actually full of young people hanging out and having fun, also for the development of the farm when that happens.’
For more information, go to www.lemuriervillage.com.
You need to be logged in to comment.