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Les Amis has formally unveiled its new block of specialist flats for islanders with learning disabilities – and dedicated the development to its Chair of Trustees, who has supported the charity for more than four decades.
Leslie Norman Court was officially opened today with the help of the Lieutenant-Governor Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd and his wife Dr Karen Kyd, who are both patrons of Les Amis.
The block of 13 apartments, which are part of Andium Homes' The Limes development on Green Street, was handed over to the charity earlier this year.
Pictured: Lieutenant-Governor Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd and his wife Dr Karen Kyd are patrons of Les Amis.
The project came about after plans to create a facility for disabled islanders in the former Hampshire Hotel at Val Plaisant, which Les Amis had purchased for £3.3m, fell through in 2023.
At the formal unveiling this morning, Vice-Admiral Kyd described Leslie Norman Court as "tremendous", adding: "Being here now, you must be pinching yourselves because it's a great thing to have done."
He also congratulated Mr Norman on his MBE and described it as a "great reflection" of what the Chair of Trustees has achieved.
Vice-Admiral Kyd added: "It's a complete privilege, on behalf of Karen and I, to unveil this building and to dedicate it as Leslie Norman Court in your honour."
Pictured: Leslie Norman's involvement with the charity spans more than 40 years.
Speaking to Express, Mr Norman said: "It's something you never expect and certainly not something I was looking for – it's a great honour."
He added: "I get so much out of this charity, I get far more benefit than I give – the happy smiling faces, the joy of everybody, dealing with wonderful staff and wonderful residents.
"Some days it's a challenge, but it's not a chore."
He described the new facility as "fantastic", adding that the flats had been "beautifully done".
Les Amis Managing Director Shaun Findlay said that, even though Leslie Norman Court was a different site to what had previously been planned, "it still achieves the right things".
Pictured: Les Amis Managing Director Shaun Findlay outside Leslie Norman Court.
He continued: "The drive and determination from the people who support [us] was the guidance we needed and because of that, and speaking to Andium – which was very fortunate – we were able to achieve our outcome."
Recognising the work of Mr Norman, Mr Findlay added: "Leslie's been involved with supporting people and disabilities for [over] 40 years and it's been part of his life.
"Even though he graciously speaks about how humble he feels, without people like Leslie in society, things don't get done.
"He deserves the MBE and his namesake and legacy deserves to be on this wall."
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