Care homes in Suffolk will share £900,000 to spend on improving their environment for residents.Nearly 100 private and voluntary homes in the county will get an average of £9,000 each to spend on improvements such as new carpets or floor coverings to reduce the risk of trips and falls; upgrading dining rooms; redecorating bedrooms and improving bathrooms, or in some cases creating sensory gardens or improving access to existing grounds.

Care homes in Suffolk will share £900,000 to spend on improving their environment for residents.

Nearly 100 private and voluntary homes in the county will get an average of £9,000 each to spend on improvements such as new carpets or floor coverings to reduce the risk of trips and falls; upgrading dining rooms; redecorating bedrooms and improving bathrooms, or in some cases creating sensory gardens or improving access to existing grounds. Computer facilities for use by residents, often to keep in touch with family and friends, will be introduced in several homes, but the money cannot be used on staffing or staff facilities.

Graham Newman, county councillor for adult and community services, said: “We do of course buy far more places in private and voluntary sector homes than we provide in the county council own premises. Many hundreds of residents in these homes will see improvements in their surroundings soon.”

The grants include:

All Hallows Nursing Home, Bungay, £10,000 for replacement carpets

Beech House, Halesworth, £10,000 for sensory facilities for residents

Brandon Park Nursing Home, Brandon, £15,000 for new furniture, redecoration, improved bathing facilities

Broadlands Residential Home, Oulton Broad, £10,000 for new carpets

Chevington Lodge Residential Home, Bungay, £11,000 for new furniture, new carpets, redecoration

Estherene House, Lowestoft, £7,000 for new furniture, redecoration improved access to garden, new hearing loop for television

Harleston House, Lowestoft, £7,500 for redecoration

Highfield House, Halesworth, £10,000 for bathing facilities, sensory garden and improved access to garden.