Kind-hearted people are being urged to help fund a makeover at Norfolk's only specialist residential home for elderly blind people.

The redevelopment appeal at Thomas Tawell House, part of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind's Magpie Road, Norwich complex, will see the creation of a light-filled sitting room where residents can 'watch the world go by', a new entrance and reception area and new access to the home's gardens.

John Child, the charity's director, said that �141,000 had already been raised towards the total cost of �213,000, and plans have been submitted to Norwich City Council to extend the seating area and refurbish the entrance and reception at the home.

A spokesman for the charity said: 'We are making this appeal because the stage has now been reached where the front entrance, main door, reception and some of the original large double-glazed windows badly need replacing. These areas were not covered by our �1m refurbishment in 2000.

'We know that just because a person has poor sight and they are elderly, this does not mean that they do not have similar needs to active, younger people.

'The majority of people desire a social life, even if they live in a residential home, and need to leave their bedrooms, take part in activities where possible and talk and listen to fellow residents, which helps them feel part of the community which the home provides.

'We are convinced this development will help stimulate people's lives, since we know that people like to be part of, and be aware of, what is going on around them.'

Thomas Tawell House offers 37 en-suite rooms for people with sensory impairment, who have an average age of 90, and is the only home of its kind in the county.

The home also offers short-break respite care to give hard-pressed carers a break, and insists that every new resident comes initially on a month's trial to make sure they are happy in their new home. Thomas Tawell head of home, Sharon Gaul, said: 'We deliver specialist palliative care that allows people to end their lives in familiar surroundings among people they know and who they know care for them.

'We aren't here to make a profit. We are a community, an extended family that is here to live up to Thomas Tawell's heritage.'

For more information visit nnab.org.uk.

Are you looking to improve your business, residential home or centre? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.