The Salvation Army is helping more islanders in need with its new additions, May Cottages and the Pantry Store.

Millions of pounds have been spent redeveloping three new cottages to house families in crisis and turning the charity's food bank into a new shop.

Both projects are situated on Minden Street, at the charity's main community hub.

May Cottages

Three cottages have been made in the courtyard behind the Salvation Army to provide temporary supported housing for three families on the brink of homelessness.

There is a two-bedroom cottage, a one-bedroom cottage and a two-bedroom duplex.

Each has its own charm, with different features for each family's distinct needs.

The first cottage has a modern kitchen leading to a three-piece bathroom.

It also has a living room on the ground floor, with stairs at the entrance and two bedrooms at the top.

The pink central cottage has a bathroom and bedroom on the ground floor.

A set of stairs leads to a spacious kitchen-living area on the first floor with skylights.

The family living in this cottage will get a view over the courtyard and across to a 'living wall' covered in plants.

The third, and final cottage is up a set of stairs which leads up to a large duplex with a kitchen-dining area which looks over Minden Street.

After following more stairs, there's a bathroom, space for storage and a bedroom, with a large bedroom in a loft conversion after another set of stairs.

The cottages are named after Lieutenant-Colonel Elizabeth (known as May) Richardson, formerly Le Feuvre.

May came to the island in her teenage years and joined the Salvation Army.

She then went on to travel the world as an officer, to countries including Kenya, France and the UK, supporting the homeless community, elderly and members of the church.

Alice says it is also the time of year when life comes back to the world.

"May is that beautiful time of spring, so, also reminds us of new beginnings and new hope."

It's likely the cottage will welcome families from early next year.

The Pantry Store

Replacing the food bank, The Pantry Store gives islanders another option when seeking help with food.

Single people will be able to pay £5 for a £25 shop, and families will pay £10 for £50 worth of food.

The food will be heavily reduced, so any extra purchases can be added to the initial fee.

The Salvation Army believes it gives islanders the chance to shop 'with dignity', allowing people to choose the food they would like.

Items stocked include pet food, items for babies and a variety of subsidised food.

Captain Richard Nunn says unlike receiving a bag of food from the foodbank, which includes just basic items to help people get through a crisis moment, in The Pantry Store people will be able to choose what they need from stocked shelves with far more variety.

"Being able to do your own shopping will help with people’s self-worth and will also serve as a good example of self-reliance to the children in the family."

Islanders looking to join the Pantry Store will be given a membership card after speaking with someone from the charity to see if they could seek income support first, or if a foodbank may be more suitable.

The 'social supermarket' initiative is growing in popularity in the UK but is yet to be explored in Jersey.

The Salvation Army became a foodbank during the pandemic and has given out more than 2,600 parcels, with 2024 being the busiest year to date.

Captain Alice Nunn says there will be a referral system for both the Pantry Store and May Cottages.

"There will be a panel that will decide whether each person that is referred is appropriate for the rest of the people who are living there, as it's around the same courtyard.

"With the Pantry Store, what will happen is the first time that somebody comes they will sit down, like they will with the foodbank, with somebody who will take the time to think about if the food pantry is what they're looking for and if it's helpful to them."

The Pantry Store will open once staff have been recruited. Dates and times will be advertised at a later date.