Charity Wishes: Paying it forward, rehab and advocacy with Jersey Cheshire Home

Wednesday 01 January 2025

Alongside a busy programme of nursing and residential care, respite services and various therapies, Jersey Cheshire Home opened a new community centre and held a huge variety of events for patients and supporters in 2024... so, what's on the agenda for this year?

Express caught up with the team...

What have been the highlights of 2024?

As 2024 draws to a close, here at Jersey Cheshire Home we reflect on a year filled with accomplishments, obstacles and exciting plans for the future. Despite these ongoing challenges, our charity continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents.

This year has been marked by several key events and initiatives that have brought joy to all at the Home. Among the highlights was an amazing night of Opera, in which residents and colleagues participated in a special performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The performance was a wonderful experience that celebrated the power of music and inclusivity.

Pictured: Jersey Cheshire Home's new community centre at Edinburgh House, created in collaboration with Andium.

Our Summer Ball, a glamorous evening of dining and entertainment was another standout event, raising over £20,000. Another fantastic highlight, was when three of our residents proudly took part in the Battle of Flowers Parade, showcasing their creativity and having a great deal of fun in this iconic community event.

A major milestone was working with Andium Homes to open the JCH Community Centre in Green Street and the launch of our ‘Pay it Forward’ campaign. This campaign has become a cornerstone initiative for us, creating a culture of generosity and encouraging individuals to discreetly provide a hot drink or meal for someone in need.

Creative projects like the Wheelchair Art initiative and our ‘Wear Red’ campaign to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, have also been instrumental in raising awareness of all we do at Jersey Cheshire Home. The Wheelchair Art project transformed everyday wheelchairs into wonderful works of art, whilst the ‘Wear Red’ campaign highlighted the importance of disability inclusion through a day of solidarity and awareness-raising activities.

Pictured: Outreach and advocacy have been important agenda points for the charity this year.

Advocacy talks have been also been an area of critical focus for Jersey Cheshire Home in 2024, helping us to educate the public about issues facing disabled islanders. The Community Centre played host to several open days in collaboration with other local charities with topics including motor neurone disease, epilepsy and heart health. Additionally, the Home has welcomed partnerships with organisations such as Eyecan and the Parkinson’s Group, as well as opening our rehabilitation facility to residents from other care homes.

What has been the greatest challenge?

While the year brought much to celebrate, it also posed significant challenges, particularly in funding.

Rising operational costs and inflation have strained resources and the cancellation of events such as a planned Bungee Jump in conjunction with Dementia Jersey, along with lower attendance at others events, has impacted fundraising efforts.

Receiving less than the cost-of-living increase for Long-Term Care funding has added to financial pressures. Despite these difficulties, we continue to work tirelessly to reduce costs while maintaining the morale of colleagues and residents.

And what is on your charity’s ‘wish list’ for 2025?

Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for 2025 and together with our supporters we hope to make them a reality. Completing the Garden Project is a key priority, transforming our outdoor spaces into therapeutic and recreational areas that residents and their families can enjoy.

Plans also include building new rooms and relocating the gym to improve accessibility and accommodate more users. Additionally, we aim to encourage greater use of the Community Centre for events and activities and our trek, this year in Vietnam, promises to provide a meaningful way for supporters to get involved while raising crucial funds.

Strengthening partnerships with other charities, the Government and other care organisations is something we will continue to work on, allowing for greater collaboration and sharing of resources to maximise impact for all.

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission to enhance the lives of adults with disabilities and to tackle the challenges of the future with resilience and optimism.