• 2006 was a difficult year as the reality of island-wide budgetary constraints began to affect all services within
the voluntary sector. In addition, a lack of new housing opportunities meant that expansion of services was curtailed or delayed. Les Amis attempted to go into the private rental market during the year, often ending in frustration as landlords showed a hesitation in welcoming people with learning disabilities as suitable tenants!

An article appeared in the Jersey Evening Post in September 2006, which highlighted the problems of finding appropriate accommodation. This produced an excellent response with several private landlords coming forward to offer properties.
In addition it has led to an understanding with the Jersey Homes Trust that Les Amis will have the opportunity to rent
houses in any future developments they are constructing. An immediate outcome was the designation of two houses on
their latest development, to be ready in spring 2007

• One new house was opened in the year, a magnificent and large apartment at the Le Coie development site, also
rented from the Jersey Homes Trust. This is specially adapted facility able to accommodate the needs of those with
physical disabilities in addition to learning disabilities. The flat opened in October 2006 and has become home to five
younger residents, two of whom have left the family home for the first time.

Much of the year was spent on finalising detail of the much-delayed Service Level Agreement between Les Amis and
health and social Services. This was finally completed towards year's end and the final draft has now been accepted, and
implements, by both parties. Negotiations still continue on a set of working protocols to accompany this document. This
will seek to set out clear guidelines on how the two organisations work with each other. It is hoped that with this in place
good communications and positive joint working will be the outcome, for the benefit of all people with learning disabilities
in Jersey.

• Lisa Glennon returned from maternity leave in April 2006 in her role as Deputy General Manager, Care. This return was timely and welcome as two Project Managers were absent for extensive periods on placements with other organisations
as part of their social work training, an initiative designed to give Les Amis the very best managers with the most
appropriate skills and qualifications. By year's end both had successfully completed their training and are now qualified social workers. A third has started similar training in early 2007.

• In addition to the above training, another Project Manager has qualified as a trainer in Diet and Nutrition, a crucial issue
with our resident group. We are now able to offer all staff training in this area, complementing existing areas of expertise already developed 'in-house'.

• A highlight of 2006 was the second Summer Ball, held in early September at St. Ouen's Manor. Titled 'The Golden Ball',
the night was a fantastic event mixing unique and original entertainment, good food and fine wines in a wonderful setting. One hundred and ten guests attended, hosted by Paul Routier, Chairman of Les Amis and Carl Blackmore, General
Manager. The cost of the evening was sponsored and this meant that over £7,000 was raised from ticket sales and the
raffle, which went towards the much-depleted Building Fund. In addition and as result of the increased publicity for the organisation a donation of £20,000 was also secured from a well-established friend of Les Amis. This was put towards maintenance in a particular house. The evening would not have been so successful were it not for the efforts of so many
of Les Amis staff who contributed in many different ways - and in their own time and for no reward.

• Other achievements in terms of fund-raising included the adoption of Les Amis as nominated charity by the Stonehage
Trust Group. Through various events and dress-down days they hope to provide funding for specific items over the coming months. A quiz night was also held at The Mayfair Hotel, organised by staff of RBS, raising over £1,000 for the residents
of Les Amis.

• The basic Skills programme, funded by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for the Channel Islands continued to go
from, strength to strength, providing residents with training in basic areas vital for further progress on the road to independence - literacy, money-work, computer skills, telling the time are amongst the topics covered and the service
has been accessed by close to 30 residents.

The aim of Basic Skills is to give residents the preparedness they may need for employment - either true open
employment or of the sheltered, therapeutic sort. In 2006 it became clear that work or daytime occupation for people with learning disabilities is an area of great concern and for many people work is an unfulfilled aspiration. Les Amis, alongside Jersey Mencap and other key agencies is making the problem of work a major campaign issue going into 2007 and we are playing an active role in a work group charged to come up with long-term solutions to this problem.

• Les Amis also contributes to, and is actively involved in, a range of strategic bodies whose mission is to plan for services
for the client group. Whether it be the Community Living Group, the Joint Secretariat or the Learning Disability Partnership Board, Les Amis is present and committed to ensuring that the issues, and hopefully solutions to problems, for people
with learning disabilities are raised and given greater prominence in the island.

• Spring 2007 sees many developments taking shape. Keys for our next two group homes, at the Jersey Homes Trust Westmount development have been handed over and the aim is for the houses to be ready, as one home, to house five residents by June at the latest. Other houses are also being considered, both in the private rental market and through initiatives involving the Les Vaux Housing Trust, who along with Housing and the Jersey Homes Trust are great supporters of Les Amis and its work. In addition to funding social work training for another manager in 2007, training is also being
provided for a Project Manager in 2007 to complete her Masters degree in Challenging Behaviour, a further sign of the commitment made to quality staff through training and development.