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A charity-run therapeutic home for young people struggling with their mental health that was forced to close down due to an alleged lack of Government support is to be given a "new lease of life" as a free summer activity camp location for disadvantaged children.
The Bosdet Foundation has agreed to lease Brig-Y-Don House – which was transformed into ‘Hope House’ by drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity Silkworth – for five years with a pledge of £250,000 annual investment.
The premises will be used to run ‘Camp Bosdet’ and other holiday programmes for disadvantaged children, as it offered at the Island Scout Centre last year.
Bosdet – whose funding comes from the profits of Les Ormes, which it wholly owns - says it is also keen to offer respite breaks and opportunities to local schools in future, and wishes to build links with other children’s charities.
Brig-y-Don House was set up by Mr Trevor Matthews and his wife in 1925 with the aim of helping children of poor health. Over the years, it has served various purposes – all with a focus on vulnerable children.
Following a £250,000 investment from Silkworth, it opened its doors to children needing help with alcohol and substance misuse issues and mental health conditions in April 2021.
Pictured: Inside Brig-y-Don after its £250,000 refurb into Hope House.
However, as Express revealed last year, after welcoming several children in the weeks following its opening, referrals from social workers stopped following what the charity believes was a sudden and unexplained "directive" from Children's Services.
At the time, the Government admitted that it was looking to set up its own therapeutic facility for children.
Silkworth, the Children’s Commissioner, politicians and a children’s lawyer all raised the alarm about alleged “gate-keeping” as a result, and raised concerns that a bespoke facility was being wasted while mentally unwell were being sent to youth detention facility Greenfields or Orchard House, but Hope House was nonetheless forced to close its doors at the end of December.
Following agreement with Brightly, the charity formerly known as ‘Brig-y-Don’ which owns the facility, Camp Bosdet will now be starting at Easter, with an aim of expanding it over summer.
Pictured: Hope House closed down in December after the Government refused to refer children there.
Camp Bosdet was born in 2020 over concerns about the impact covid-19 was having on the physical wellbeing of children. It is free to attend and children are referred through schools or Social Services.
Previous activities offered during the camp, which is largely staffed by young adults undergoing teacher training or related degrees, have included kayaking, abseiling and evenings around the campfire. Bosdet says it will be looking for volunteers to assist with educational and physical activities at the new premises.
Alan Le Pavoux, who set up Camp Bosdet, has been appointed to lead the new service at Brig-y-Don.
“We are determined to offer the very highest standards of care, food, experiences, and fun for the children who attend,” he said.
“As with all major social events, there is long-term impact on individuals. With the global pandemic we have seen the suspension of normal social activity along with the usual opportunities for children to play and learn in all its forms. Camp Bosdet has shown the positive impact coming together to experience new opportunities can have on the mental and physical well-being of the children attending.
“Giving all children the opportunity to grow and share with caring adults, even if it is for just one week is a goal worth having."
Pictured: Volunteers are being sought to help with the Camp Bosdet programmes that will run from Brig-y-Don.
Bosdet’s Chair, Roger Trower, said the foundation was “very excited” about taking on Brig-y-Don and working with Brightly, adding: “The last two years have raised many issues for children, and we are determined to quickly do our bit within the community to support them. This is a true example of Jersey as a community coming together.”
Brightly’s Chair and Treasury Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, commented: “We are delighted that the Bosdet Foundation will be making such great use of Brig-y-Don House.
“Like Brightly, they aim to work in collaboration with others to ensure long-term benefits and positive changes in our community and like us recognise that one of the best ways to do this is by working with children and their families.
“We are really pleased that the much-loved building will have a new lease of life and that so many young people who need support will be benefiting from the facility in accordance with the purposes for which Brig-y-Don House was given and as our supporters past, present and future would wish.”
Pictured: Brightly's Chair, Deputy Susie Pinel, said the charity was "really pleased that the much-loved building will have a new lease of life."
Romerils has agreed to assist with further refurbishments.
Managing Director Steve Jewell said it was “such an easy ‘yes’” when he was asked to help, adding: “This is an amazing venture, and you can see how many of our Island’s children are going to benefit and have such an enjoyable time.”
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