We were asked by Windermere Lodge, an assessment and treatment ward for those with dementia at St Catherine’s Hospital in Doncaster, to help them develop artwork to prompt older people with dementia to remember things from their past and create talking points for them and their families.

The Solution

Ward teams at each unit worked with a project team to develop ideas and themes for artwork, decoration, refurbishment, clinical practice and meaningful activity in their areas. The teams suggested artworks to help the patients with their sense of orientation, ‘place’ and belonging - choosing the themes of Doncaster’s well known market , and of course Doncaster Races - the famous St Leger in particular. Beautiful images showing Doncaster at its very best were used to brighten a ward and inspire memories in older people

Using photographs taken by local photographer Richard Benson, the New Vision Picture This system was ideal. It had the advantages of meeting all required standards of infection control and safety and also the images were easily interchangeable, allowing for variation from time to time or for individual patient choice. Also the system could be adapted for patient and staff notice and display boards.

Richard Benson, 61, a photographer from Doncaster, was approached by the trust team because of his love of taking pictures of the town.

“I live in Doncaster and I’ve got a lot of pictures of Doncaster looking nice, rather than the grim northern type of image. It sounded like an interesting project because my mother had dementia, so I knew what they were aiming for and why these pictures would help.”

Outcomes

Bright and vivid photographic sequences of the market, the St Leger and local landmarks now adorn the previously empty walls and are a real talking point.