No one relishes the idea of getting older and starting to need additional support for day-to-day living. Many older people would choose to stay in their own homes – homes in which they have often spent many years and which hold so many lifetime memories – for as long as possible, but need additional support to be able to do so. Halo has been established to help people do just that.
Founder John Merrien was faced with his own personal situation when his own mother (who suffers from Alzheimers) fell in her home and broke her hip.
“Often the catalyst for moving older relatives into nursing or residential care is an accident in the home. For me Mum’s fall was a wakeup call to the fact that she wasn’t coping at home and that the environment in which she was living wasn’t a safe one. My brother and I found ourselves facing a very difficult decision concerning her long-term care.”
John’s Mum was adamant she wanted to stay in her own house. Initially, John employed a ‘home care assistant’, Kyra, for 20 hours a week to undertake basic chores and provide companionship for his Mum who showed immediate signs of improvement in both her physical and mental health as a direct result. Kyra’s partner Reece undertook basic maintenance work on the property and the solution was found – and the idea for Halo was born.
Described broadly as a ‘home concierge service’ Halo provides a range of services to people who need additional support at home. Kyra now works for Halo full-time and is responsible for the small team of carers who have since joined the company. The management team is completed by Gina who is a qualified home assessor and who runs the company on a day-to-day basis as Managing Director.
John’s aim is for Halo to provide ‘personalised assistance delivered with kindness and compassion’. Each client has a tailored support package which can include anything from reminders to take medication, to washing dishes, gardening or a trip out for a cup of tea or an ice cream so that they have some meaningful human connection.
Since the company’s inception, John has reached an agreement with UK company Autumn Care giving Halo access to a bank of care professionals who are able to give 24/7 live-in support where necessary. In addition, he has put Halo through the rigorous UK Care Quality Commission’s quality validation process as an extra layer of quality assurance for clients and their families.
Alongside his growing team of full and part-time staff, John is developing a directory of other service providers and tradesmen on whom the team can call as and when required.
“The only thing we ask for is a guarantee of a ‘rapid response’,” John explained.
Care workers generally are undervalued and underpaid in John’s view, and he has therefore set out to pay above market salaries.
“We want to build something to last. We are employing the best people; we pay them as well as we can; and we give them the most flexible working arrangements we are able.”
John is mindful that the families of clients also need some level of on-going reassurance and support – particularly if they live away from the island. Halo has adopted the use of an app called ‘Jointly’. Clients sign up and the care team is able to add updates, photos and any other useful information that family members can access at any point.
Swoffers is also part of this ground-breaking (for Guernsey anyway) service. For Halo’s clients with large complex properties, Swoffers will be providing property maintenance assessments and plans as it would for large rental properties, minimising the pressure and stress this can create.
With pressure on care and nursing home beds, the on-going issue of blocked hospital beds because older patients are unable to return to their homes, and an ageing demographic, Halo’s service delivery model is arguably long overdue. Whilst John is a businessman – and runs his own accountancy firm Books & Co – he aims to keep fixed costs low and work with small profit margins to ensure that the service is accessible to as broad a range of people in Guernsey as possible. He wants Halo to have real ‘societal benefit’ and his own Mum was the best-case study he could have wished for.
In 2003, former West End performers Brian and Catherine Webster moved back to Guernsey, where Catherine grew up. Their dream was to create an inclusive dance and theatre school where they could pass on their decades of professional experience to the island’s budding stars.
Fast forward 20 years, and The Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education (GATE) has nurtured thousands of talented youngsters, with many going on to pursue a career in the performing arts. With dozens of annual shows, Eisteddfods, Dance Festivals and Dance World Cup successes (including 2 Gold medals for Guernsey on the international stage) under its belt, the school is going from strength to strength.
‘It’s surpassed all our expectations,’ said Catherine (or “Miss Catherine” to her students).
‘We wanted to give local children the full experience of performing, from dancing to singing and acting, so anyone wishing to pursue the performing arts as a career have all the necessary skills, not just one. It was a world that Brian and I were fully immersed in, and we wanted our students to experience that same feeling performing can give you.
‘It’s amazing how much talent we have in such a small island. With fewer distractions and an active lifestyle, our students are in a fantastic position to put their energy into their passion.’
Brian and Catherine’s daughters, Maisie and Eliza, have grown up around the school, with invaluable help from Catherine’s mother, “Miss Jeanette”, who still runs the dancewear and equipment shop on a Saturday morning. Both girls are accomplished performers, with Maisie heading to study performing arts at Laine Theatre Arts in September. She follows a string of GATE alumni to have followed their dreams, and so many have gone on to achieve successful careers.
Cameron Ashplant, who took an academic route at university, has used his theatrical background to become an accomplished actor, screenwriter and director. He co-founder of Across The Channel Productions with which he produced the Amazon Prime series ‘The Balkans’ and Guernsey film ‘Marooned Awakening’. The latter secured a Los Angeles-based distribution deal. He’s acted opposite Steve Coogan, Andrew Scott, Paterson Joseph, Tilly Keeper, Tim McInnerny, Barry Keoghan and Mark Gatiss, and has also acted in scenes with Mads Mikkelsen, Harrison Ford and Austin Butler.
Pierce Rogan, who left GATE in 2014, is currently performing in South Pacific in the West End, having also starred in Fiddler on the Roof. Rachel MacDougall has also gone on to perform in The King and I which will end its UK tour in the West End in January.
Others, like Harry Giubileo, have gone on to secure TV acting roles and the lead in West End play Witness for the Prosecution, with a number pursuing dance teaching, singing and songwriting. Indi Phillips and Sam Ashcroft both perform on cruise ships, while Claudia Valentina has a successful singing career and almost a quarter of a million followers across Instagram and TikTok.
But it’s not all about fame, says Brian.
‘Arguably there’s no better feeling than performing before an audience and seeing the results from all the blood, sweat and tears,’ he said.
‘But also it’s about friendship, teamwork and creating rounded human beings. The camaraderie backstage at shows, the buzz in a dance studio at training and the laughter and excitement when we travel away for competitions. That’s what it’s all about. Seeing young people enjoy themselves and achieve what they had never dreamed they could, that’s the feeling that we strive to achieve, and there’s nothing like it.’
Catherine Webster
Catherine trained at the prestigious Elmhurst Ballet School, where upon leaving she performed professionally for 12 years.
Her credits include: Me and My Girl, Singin’ in the Rain, Calamity Jane, Oliver!, Hollywood and Broadway, West Side Story, Grease (Patty Simcox and Jan in the West End), Lautrec (West End) and the Ira Gershwin Gala (West End and televised). TV credits include The Bill, Talking Telephones, Watchdog and commercials. Catherine has worked with many stars such as John Barrowman, Shane Ritchie, Adam Garcia, Samantha Janus, Paul Nicholas, Wayne Sleep, Gary Wilmot, Hannah Waddingham and Bonny Langford and remains in contact with many working professionals, often bringing them over to teach GATE students.
Brian Webster
Brian trained at both the Guildford School of Acting and West Street Ballet School. His professional credits include: Singin’ in the Rain, West Side Story (Diesel), Grease (Roger and Sonny in the West End), The Movie of ‘Jesus Christ Super Star’, Stars of the West End (Malaysia Stadium Concert), Copacabana, Happy Days, Boogie Nights and professional pantomimes. TV credits include GMTV, TFI Friday (as one of the Massive Heads), The Clothes Show and Blue Peter. Brian has worked with many stars including Arlene Phillips, Shane Ritchie, Paul Nicholas, Tommy Steele, Wayne Sleep, Henry Winkler, Michael Praed and Leslie Grantham.
Cameron Ashplant
Actor/ film director – Marooned Awakening
Harry Giubileo
TV actor – Casualty & Last Train to Christmas
Indi Phillips
Cruise ship dancer/ singer
Sam Ashcroft
Cruise ship vocalist
When Andy Furniss first arrived in Guernsey six years ago, becoming a train driver wasn’t a life goal, but driving Le Petit Train between 10am and 3pm fitted perfectly around doing the school run for his two boys while his wife settled into her new teaching role. One year later – at the end of 2018 – Andy seized the opportunity to take over the business in its entirety.
“We had one really good year in 2019 and then Covid struck. With the States’ support scheme for small businesses, I was just about able to stay afloat and in a way, it gave me the breathing space to think about the direction I wanted to take the business.”
At the time, cruise boat visitors accounted for 95% of the train’s passengers – a market that disappeared overnight due to the pandemic, but a vulnerability that Andy had already recognised as something he needed to address. With over 40 ‘petits trains’ in France having gone out of business – victims of Covid 19 – he wanted to move away from being wholly reliant on the tourism industry.
“I wanted to focus more on local trade as I saw that as the growth area for the business. So in a way, Covid accelerated the realisation of that vision.”
Andy is no stranger to hard work and innovation and whole heartedly believes in the ‘you get out of something what you put in’ mantra. Prior to moving to Guernsey, he and his family lived in the Falkland Islands where, as he explained, everyone has to be a bit of a ‘jack of all trades’ and make a contribution or the place doesn’t run. He spent time as a marine mammal observer, a fish catch verifier as well as an HGV driver and instructor. Andy also spent many years working in special needs education in the UK and lived in Australia for a period working for a mining company.
He grasped the post-Covid challenge to build the business with the same energy and enthusiasm. Initially he offered free seats for children as a way to drive incremental adult ticket sales resulting in a 40% uplift. He then developed a programme of evening events from food safaris (three restaurants in three hours) to Abba nights and children’s sing-alongs.
In an island with a finite market, the need to introduce new products and services is paramount. So Christmas lights and ghost tours around St Peter Port are now also on the agenda and are popular with corporate and group bookings and are proving to be a valuable revenue stream. Le Petit Train also ran ‘Park and Ride’ services for the coronation celebrations and for Christmas shoppers.
Last year, Andy took on Lucy, initially to sell the advertising space on the train, but who now supports him with event planning and promotion. He describes her addition to the team as a ‘game changer’. They have since set up a separate company Mainline Events through which they can run events away from Le Petit Train. Mainline Events owns ‘The Little Black Bus’ found on the quayside when a cruise ship is in, offering small group excursions.
For Andy, diversifying the operation is a way of future proofing the business. The cruise market still constitutes 65% of his passengers but with Princess Cruises not visiting this year, and with 35 fewer boats in total in 2023 compared with 2022, developing his local events trade seems a sensible strategy. And the numbers seem to stack up: 45 events in 2022 and an impressive 145 planned over the course of 2023.
When Andy isn’t in the train, he might be found under it on engine maintenance duties. The Italian-built vehicle is around 30 years old and needs ‘a gentle hand’. The diverse nature of his day-to-day life is what he loves.
“For me it fulfils everything I need. I have a ‘quirky’ business. I can tinker with engines (it used to be motorbikes and land rovers; now it’s a land train) plus I have the challenge of running my own business which is becoming increasingly interesting as it grows. Knowing that this is all of my own doing gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.
“Guernsey is a beautiful place to live where you can enjoy a great work/life balance. When friends ask me what it’s like to live here, I just say that I can get to a beach in 10 minutes in any direction. That’s hard to beat.”
As the political landscape in the United Kingdom undergoes a potential shift with the Labour Party gaining momentum, many individuals and families are exploring alternative options for a safer and less taxing lifestyle. Guernsey continues to be a desirable destination for UK residents seeking a fresh start. Swoffers Managing Director, Craig Whitman, delves into our thriving Open Market and highlights the key advantages Guernsey has to offer.
At Swoffers we have an unmatched track record with a reputation for excellence and expertise in both our Open and Local Markets. We continue to work hard to cement our position as the island’s leading estate agency. And I am proud to be able to say that so far this year Swoffers has been responsible for 60% of all Open Market sales. This exceptional achievement showcases our commitment to assisting buyers and sellers in finding their perfect properties on the island.
One of our latest properties, that we are thrilled to have been appointed the sole agency of, is Domaine De La Roche, a magnificent cliff top home. This exquisite property epitomises the luxurious and tranquil lifestyle that Guernsey has to offer. With panoramic sea views and unrivalled privacy, this truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a very special home.
Beyond Guernsey’s striking natural beauty, the island continues to entice prospective buyers with its attractive taxation system. Even as individuals and families prioritise safety and security, low taxes also remain a factor in their decision-making process. Our island stands out from our competitors by offering a range of appealing tax benefits, including no capital gains taxes, no inheritance taxes, a flat rate of 20% income tax, and, no Value Added Tax (VAT). The benefits of these low tax financial advantages and individual tax caps, combined with the island’s idyllic setting, makes Guernsey an irresistible option for those seeking a less burdensome financial environment.
Guernsey’s appeal extends beyond UK residents, as we welcome individuals and families from various corners of the globe. Expats from Hong Kong, Dubai, and Singapore have found solace in Guernsey’s stability and inviting lifestyle. Additionally, those hailing from South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia have also recognised the island’s allure as a destination for a fresh start. Our Open Market offers a diverse selection of properties to cater to the unique preferences of all global citizens.
Another key advantage of relocating to Guernsey is the ease of entry. The process of moving to the island is straightforward and hassle-free, all you need is a British Passport or UK Entry Visa. Guernsey welcomes individuals and families alike with open arms, ensuring a smooth transition to their new home and way of life.
Our beautiful island stands out as an ideal choice for many considering an alternative option. Swoffers is pleased to offer a wide selection of property available for sale and rental from stunning coastal properties to beautiful, charming town houses and low maintenance lock up and leaves. Guernsey’s tax advantages and streamlined entry process, presents an enticing reason for those looking to embrace a new chapter in their lives.
To learn more about the relocation process, we encourage you to reach out to our experienced Open Market team at sales@swoffers.co.uk
There was a slight drop in the average purchase price of Local Market properties last quarter, but more properties were sold than during the first quarter of 2023.
The average purchase price for April to June was just under £601,000 – on a par with 2022 and 46.2% higher than the same period in 2018.
Latest figures from the States of Guernsey’s quarterly residential property price bulletin show that the mix adjusted average purchase price for the Local Market properties transacted during the second quarter of 2023 was £600,836, 2.1% lower than the previous quarter, 0.3% higher than the second quarter of 2022 and 46.2% higher than five years previously.
‘These figures reflect what we are seeing on the ground at Swoffers, so this slight fall does not come as a surprise. The increased cost of borrowing, general cost of living issues and shortage of stock have all contributed to the current situation,’ said Swoffers Director Andre Austin.
‘Our lengthy experience tells us that the property market sees these kinds of cycles, and doesn’t indicate any significant cause for concern.’
The mix adjusted price is a measure of the value of the properties sold during the quarter, not a reflection of the values of individual properties nor the change in the value of any one property over time.
There were 175 Local Market transactions during the second quarter of 2023, 62 more than the previous quarter, 61 fewer than the second quarter of 2022 and 8 fewer than the second quarter of 2018.
The raw median price (realty only) of the 20 Open Market transactions in the second quarter of 2023 was £1,633,125, compared with £1,366,843 in the second quarter of 2022. Of those 20 transactions, Swoffers was responsible for 10 of them at an average of £2,704,650 (realty only).
‘Guernsey continues to be an attractive relocation destination and our Open Market team continues to be busy,’ said Managing Director, Craig Whitman.
The cost of rental property continues to rise. The mix adjusted average rental price for Local Market properties was £1,864 per calendar month in the second quarter of 2023, 4.8% higher than the previous quarter, 2.6% higher than the second quarter of 2022 and 42.3% higher than five years previously.
Swoffers staff have raised more than £3,000 for Guernsey Mind through its Swoffathon – and donations continue to roll in.
Five staff members completed a 10km run, a cycle around the island, and they swam 25 lengths of the bathing pools for charity. When this video was made, the total raised stood at £3,257 – more than four times the target of £750 set by the team (Courtney Kennedy, Georgia Blumsom, Alex Stuart, Scott Ingrouille and Annie Rihoy). But further donations have been made and the total continues to rise.
If you’d like to donate, you can do so here.
At Swoffers, we’re passionate about giving back to the community. That’s why we’ve launched the Swoffathon, our latest fundraising event, supporting Guernsey Mind. On Sunday 30th July our team will be running 10km, cycling around the island and swimming 25 lengths of the bathing pools! We love a challenge, and this not only brings excitement to the office but also raises funds for a very worthy cause.
How it began
Every month we would nominate three employees to take on a challenge. Inspired by the Waitrose charity box idea, we set up three donation pots, each representing a nominated employee. The office would donate into the pot of the person they’d like to take on the challenge. The employee with the highest amount collected was chosen. Challenges have included a January bathing pool dip, putting on a comedy show and baking for the entire office. All the funds raised then get donated to a charity, chosen by the person who took on the challenge.
How it evolved
When our colleague, Georgia Blumsom, was leaving the Swoffers family, we knew we wanted to mark the occasion in a special way. So, we decided to mix things up and recreate the three challenge pots but for our Sports and Social committee members – Georgia, Steph Best and Courtney Kennedy (Steph was unable to make the date of the challenge and has had to pull out). Instead, the pots set up represented the challenge they would take on – either a ½ marathon, 100km cycle or a kayak around the island. The pot with the most money raised was the challenge they would then train for and complete on Sunday 30th July.
How it took shape
We didn’t stop there. Georgia and Courtney were so inspired they decided to combine all three disciplines to form the Swoffathon – a 10km run, island cycle, and 25 lengths swim of the bathing pools that the whole office could participate in. They have been joined in their mammoth efforts by Alex Stuart, Scott Ingrouille and Annie Rihoy. The Swoffathon is our version of a triathlon, but we’ve mixed up the traditional order of events to make it more challenging and exciting. The team is aiming to finish in under four hours!
Getting into shape
Training is in full swing in preparation for the big day with group sessions three times a week. While it hasn’t been without its challenges (and injuries!), we are a determined team and thanks to our competitive spirit and the fantastic support we’ve received we’re continuing to keep pushing forward. We are looking forward to event and who knows, maybe next year we could open it up to the public.
Supporting Guernsey Mind
As we set our sights on this grand challenge, we couldn’t think of a more deserving charity to support than Mind Guernsey. Mental health is so important, and we’re very grateful for the incredible work Guernsey Mind do. We’re excited to share that we have already surpassed our fundraising target of £750! We’re setting our sights high and want to keep rising as much money as we can.
We’re grateful for any support you can offer, big or small, from cheering us on to donating, it all goes a long way.
Please donate what you can here
Swoffers’ senior property manager Nikki Trebert had quite a week at the Island Games. Scooping 3 golds and a bronze, Nikki did us and the whole island proud at Guernsey 2023.
After an amazing week winning gold medals in 3 events and a bronze in another, Nikki is now settling back into her day job. The island’s shooting team had a huge medal haul at their home games, collating a fantastic 33 out of a grand total of 142 medals won by Guernsey athletes during Guernsey 2023.
‘I am so happy to be able to represent Guernsey, it is really rewarding that all the training and hard work has paid off,’ said Nikki, who also represented Guernsey at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018.
‘It was great to be shooting again with other islanders we haven’t seen for a while. The whole week had a fantastic vibe, and of course it felt amazing to win four medals!’
Nikki took gold, alongside partner Tara Leighton-Dyson, in women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m air pistol and women’s 25m sport pistol. She won bronze in women’s 25m standard pistol.
Back in March we spoke with Nikki Trebert, our very own shooting superstar and senior property manager, to discuss her preparations for this year’s Island Games in Guernsey. Now the Games are just a few days away, we got back in touch to find out how ready she is feeling.
How has training been going?
Everything is really starting to come together now. Training has been going well, I do at least five training sessions a week and have been shooting as much as I can on the outdoor range.
Practicing shooting outdoors helps to get used to the various weather and lighting conditions. One day it could be really hot and bright, and the next really windy and dull, which impacts how you shoot.
How well did you do in the recent Channel Islands Championships?
It went very well, some of my Island Games teammates came over to Jersey too and we picked up a few medals. I won two golds and two silvers. It was great to be able to practice in a competition setting ahead of the Games and to also use the electronic targets they have in Jersey.
We currently don’t have electronic targets in Guernsey so we aren’t as used to using them, but excitingly we are getting them in for the Games and they will stay on island. This will massively benefit local shooters, especially when preparing for national competitions, so a brilliant legacy of the Games.
It was also good to see at the Championships how we measured up against the Jersey shooters who are taking part in the Island Games as well.
How does shooting on home turf compare to competing off island?
For air pistol we don’t really have much of an advantage as the range is only being assembled a couple days before. So, we won’t have much time to trial it out. It will be interesting to see though how we settle on a totally new range.
I normally practice at Chouet so am very familiar with the conditions of that range and how the wind flows through, so I usually do quite well if it’s windy.
Last time we spoke, you didn’t know if you’d qualified for the air pistol event yet. Were you successful?
Yes I was! I have qualified so will be competing in three events: the Ladies’ Standard Pistol, Sport Pistol, and the Ladies’ Air Pistol.
There are both individual and team competitions. For the team events I will be partnering with Tara Leighton-Dyson.
Which event do you think you will do best in?
That’s a tricky one. Probably the standard pistol but I do really enjoy sport pistol and can shoot that one very well. It’s quite difficult to predict the outcome of the air pistol competition as there are quite a few of us that are very similar in our abilities.
How confident are you feeling?
My training has gone well, I just need to control my nerves. If I shoot how I have been shooting in training, I will be happy. This year there’s a real mix of new shooters and shooters I’ve shot against before so it will be interesting to see how everyone performs. Isle of Wight is probably our toughest competition, but our shooting team is very strong so hopefully we can secure some medals for Guernsey!
As Island Games Pistol Co-ordinator, is everything on track?
Yes, preparations for the Games and temporary facilities have started. To be ready to be able to run the events we are bringing in portacabins, containers and generators as we only really have the range roof for shelter.
The week before the Opening Ceremony will be full on to make sure everything is operational and ready for the athletes as they start to arrive on the Thursday. We are also hoping to livestream the events as spectators aren’t allowed on the range.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m excited to welcome everyone to Guernsey, and for us to host the Games, it has been a long time since we last saw each other. The last Island Games was in Gibraltar four years ago as the 2021 Games was cancelled due to Covid. It will be lovely to catch up with the shooters I’ve competed against before and to make new friends.
Most of the shooting medal ceremonies will be held at Beau Sejour. It will be a hub for other events too as swimming will be there and lots will be going on. Shooting is quite often not accessible, so it’s good to feel part of the Games by meeting up afterwards and everyone can come and support the medal winners.
The island will come alive with over 2,000 athletes coming over and I am sure everyone will feel the energy the Island Games creates. There’s lots planned, for example St James is hosting a social area for athletes and the general public.
I’m also looking forward to hopefully watching a few other sports and finding out how the other Guernsey athletes have got on, it creates a lovely team feeling.
We wish Nikki the best of luck. Read more about Nikki’s shooting journey here.
Fewer transactions and a slight fall in the average price of local market property are highlighted in the latest quarterly residential property price bulletin from the States of Guernsey.
The average mix adjusted price of properties sold during the first quarter of 2023 was £613,942 – down 3.8% on the previous quarter and 7.1% higher than the first quarter of 2022.
There were 68 fewer local market transactions in January to March than in the previous period, and 86 fewer than the first quarter of 2022.
‘The figures don’t really come as much of a surprise. It’s well documented the market peaked last year and was always going to cool off,’ said Local Market director Andre Austin.
‘The good news is that there are still plenty of buyers around, the market has just become more price sensitive. We are also starting to see stock levels increase which is great news for buyers.’
The raw median price (realty only) of the 14 Open Market transactions in the first quarter of 2023 was £1,779,375, compared with £1,216,313 in the first quarter of 2022. Rental prices saw a slight increase – up 3.1% from the previous quarter and 7% higher than the same period in 2022. The mix adjusted average rental price for local market property now stands at £1,788 a month.
Andre added: ‘Stock levels on the rental market are still a real concern and this has not been helped by the decision by the States to increase document duty on second properties at the end of last year. The rental market needs buy-to-let investors and they are simply investing elsewhere. We hope the States will reconsider this policy.’
