A WEST Somerset care home is launching an appeal to turn the green shoots of an empty grassed space into an attractive cultivated garden for residents.

Somerset Care opened its new purpose-built Croft House residential home in Williton in May last year.

And although the inside of the development is complete, some of the outside space is still a work in progress.

Now an organisation set up to support the home, the Friends of Croft House, has launched a bid to raise money for a £20,000 makeover to transform part of the outside space.

The 67-bed home includes specialist facilities for 31 dementia patients and it is these residents who organisers feel will benefit most from the transformation.

The plans would include a summerhouse and greenhouse, flowerbeds, other planted areas and a vegetable patch.

Bert Pearson, chairman of the Friends, is leading the appeal and knows from first hand experience how much the garden will be appreciated.

His wife Mary has been a resident in the home since it opened.

"Dementia is one of the worst afflictions in our world today," he said.

"There is no cure - all that can be done for members of our community who suffer from this debilitating condition is to provide care for them in comfortable and secure surroundings, where, sadly, they rarely have the opportunity to enjoy the outside world.

"We are fortunate in Williton to have Croft House - one of the newest and best homes in the country, where a dedicated staff team provides the necessary care for dementia sufferers.

"However, at present the rear of the building has been left as an open grassed space."

Mr Pearson said it was hoped that residents would be able to enjoy the new garden as a welcome change of scene from their everyday indoor environment.

Somerset Care has already pledged £10,000 to the project but a further £10,000 is still needed to enable the plans to come to fruition and to help fund ongoing maintenance.

Mr Pearson said as most of the Croft House residents came from the local community, organisers were appealing to local businesses and residents to help contribute to the cause.

Mr Pearson, who is also heavily involved with the local branch of the Royal British Legion, said among the residents at Croft House were 15 ex-services personnel, including a glider pilot and several women who served with the WAAF and WRNS during World War Two.

In addition, there are another ten residents whose husbands also served in the armed forces.

A couple of fundraising events have already brought in around £300 and more are planned.

"Donations of any size would be most gratefully received," said Mr Pearson.

Anyone willing to help should make cheques payable to the Croft House Amenity Fund and send them to Mr Pearson at 49 Whitecroft, Williton, Taunton, TA4 4RU.