Places Features

The Leonard Cheshire Disability charity operates across the British Isles and has almost 100 homes where adults with physical disabilities can live or visit.

Guernsey's Cheshire Home, in the Rohais, has been in operation since the late 1980s. Marleen Place, the Head of the Home, described the home as having a "friendly family" atmosphere - a point of view shared by the residents and staff alike.

Gavin has MS and is a big fan of Liverpool FC

Gavin, one of the home's permanent residents, said: "life is different everyday, in a good way."

He went on to describe the other residents as a "sociable bunch, there's always something going on if you want to get involved".

Gavin has been in a wheelchair since 2000 due to MS and is a permanent resident in the home. This means he has his own room which he has been able to decorate with memorabilia of Liverpool football club who he has supported since he saw the European Cup Final in 1977.

"The staff here are fantastic," Gavin continued. "The empowerment you feel by what they can do for you gives you get up and go, not just one day, but everyday."

The home's garden

Another residents, Angela, said: "Its very relaxed... a great place to live."

She went on: "I can indulge in hobbies, we have computers, really anything you want to do can be planned for" - with the help of the staff Angela has been on holidays to London and Manchester and said she was planning a trip to Norway to see the Fjords.

Colin backed up Angela and Gavin's sentiment as he said: "It's really good and we're all nice and friendly here... we have a good laugh."

Fundamental to the home are it's staff. Activities coordinator Vanessa explained that her role in the home is to help residents do what they want: "it's about enabling people to be independent and achieve their goals."

Esther, one of the nurses, echoed the opinions of the residents: "It's a really fun place to work... there's a close-knit team - residents as well as staff - and its a privilege to work here and be accepted by the residents."