On Thursday 17th October, residents from The Belmont care home in Worcester, part of the Sanders Senior Living Group, were invited for a special experience at North Worcester Primary Academy on as part of the ongoing partnership between the two local establishments.
The highlight of the visit was a session in the school’s new immersive room, a unique space designed to provide visual and sensory stimulation for individuals with dementia. The immersive room uses interactive projections that create captivating images on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Residents were able to experience everything from watching fish swim to jumping in muddy puddles and making footprints. These activities provide a soothing and stimulating environment, particularly beneficial for those with dementia.
The Belmont’s Lifestyle coordinators Mark Owen and Tanya Davies escorted a group of residents to the school, where they spent time interacting with the various visual elements in the immersive room. It was an enriching and joyful experience for all involved, with residents fully embracing the opportunity to explore this interactive environment.
“The residents had a wonderful time,” said Tanya Davies, Lifestyle Coordinator at The Belmont. “It was so special to see them enjoying the activity freely, particularly on our reminiscence floor, where the visual stimulation really helped to spark memories. I think it will benefit every resident here.”
Mark Owen, also a Lifestyle Coordinator at The Belmont, added, “It was brilliant to see our residents in a completely different environment. Their individual personalities really shone through, and it was clear they enjoyed the session immensely.”
The immersive room session forms part of The Belmont’s broader engagement with North Worcester Primary Academy, where both generations regularly come together to foster intergenerational connections. This collaboration provides a diverse range of activities that are not only fun and engaging for residents but also encourages participation from their families, making it a truly inclusive experience.
Scott Holdaway, Outdoor Learning Lead and Pastoral Support at North Worcester Primary Academy, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “We believe in the power of community and the importance of intergenerational connections. By offering our immersive room to the Belmont residents, we hope to provide a stimulating and engaging experience for them. Our goal is to create a joyful and meaningful environment that benefits both our students and the residents of The Belmont.”
The immersive room will be used every other week, offering a wonderful new opportunity for residents to engage with an exciting and innovative form of therapy that complements other activities The Belmont participates in with the school.
Bethan, the daughter of one of the residents at The Belmont, expressed her gratitude for the experience: “It was amazing and such a great benefit to the residents. My mum thoroughly enjoyed this session! It was lovely to hear the residents talking about how good the session was afterward.”
The partnership between The Belmont Care Home and North Worcester Primary Academy continues to bring meaningful activities to the residents and foster stronger connections between generations.
