Work has started on a new residential care home for residents suffering from the early stages of dementia.

The building, which will be run as an Extra Care Scheme – a project that aims to give dementia sufferers skills and support to live independently – will sit alongside Kallar Lodge Residential Care Home in Gregory Road, Marks Gate and will feature a mix of 13 bedsits and one-bedroom flats.

Kallar Lodge already provides 24-hour care for people with dementia.

The new building, Fews Lodge, will mean they can extend support to people in the early stages of dementia to continue to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

Fews Lodge will focus on improving people’s quality of life, delaying the onset of the later stages of dementia, and providing opportunities for couples to stay together.

To celebrate the start of the building works, Cllr Linda Reason, cabinet member for children and adults services and Cllr Phil Waker, cabinet member for housing, visited the site last Friday.

Cllr Reason said: “I am so pleased that work has started. There is a growing demand for people with dementia and Fews Lodge will provide much-needed specialist support.”