AN appeal for £400,000 to make the lives of elderly people better was launched in Hitchin last night (Wednesday). Elmside, a residential care home for 39 older people in Elmside Walk, is owned and run by the charity Methodist Homes for the Aged. It has be

AN appeal for £400,000 to make the lives of elderly people better was launched in Hitchin last night (Wednesday).

Elmside, a residential care home for 39 older people in Elmside Walk, is owned and run by the charity Methodist Homes for the Aged.

It has been providing high quality care since it opened in 1966 but the growing need for specialist dementia care in the area has led the charity to decide to build a new care home on the same site.

The phased development will see a new home built in the grounds which will offer residential care to 40 older people who are physically frail and a 25-place unit for older people who are living with dementia.

Twenty-four "housing with care" apartments will be built on the site of the old home.

The £400,000 is needed to provide many of the innovative and additional features which will give residents an enhanced quality of life.

These include a sensory garden, an activities room, a computer room, a library and a hairdressing and beauty salon.

The Elmside Forget-Me-Not Appeal was launched at Christchurch with students from Hitchin Boys' School performing a varied programme of music.

The evening gave members of the local community the chance to find out more about the redevelopment of the home and how to get involved in the appeal.