Hertingfordbury Parish News: July 2003

The Hertfordshire Cheshire Home Lavender Fields Appeal

A letter from The Rt. Revd. Christopher Herbert, The Bishop of St. Albans

The generosity of the local community allowed Leonard Cheshire to establish the existing Hertfordshire Cheshire Home in Hitchin 35 years ago. It is the permanent Home for 33 people with complex physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, acquired brain injuries, stroke, cerebral palsy and spina bifida. It is the only local Cheshire Home, but faces closure within a few years, although providing excellent care, as the building does not comply any more with not only new regulations, but also the residents' expectations and needs: bedrooms are small over two floors, and only four communal bathrooms are some of the issues that residents are faced with on a daily basis, affecting their privacy, dignity and independence.

I visited the Home last November, and was amazed by the kindness of the residents and staff and the friendly and lively atmosphere of the Home. These wonderful assets make the Hertfordshire Cheshire Home irreplaceable and will be maintained at their new Home presently under construction at Lavender Fields, Hitchin.

The new accommodation will provide dramatic improvements for the residents: larger bedrooms with en-suite facilities, dedicated activities, computer and physiotherapy rooms and more domestic scaled living and dining areas to each cluster, giving residents improved privacy and independence. Building works started late in January and they hope to open the new Home by March 2004.

I am delighted to support their Lavender Fields Appeal as a Patron. This appeal aims to raise £1 million towards the new home. Over £300,000 has already been raised, but we need to raise the present shortfall to complete the project and open the new Home next year. I really hope you will feel able to join me to support this worthwhile local cause.

May I suggest that you contact Francois Gallais at the Hertfordshire Cheshire Homes or visit www.lavenderfields.org to find out more information and how you can support this project.

Thank you,

Christopher, St. Albans.

Please note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.