Museum adds quiet space for sufferers of dementia
A GARDEN designed as a quiet outdoor space for people living with dementia has been officially opened in the grounds of a museum.
The garden at Abbey Pumping Station, which cost £46,000, is the latest addition to a programme of dementiafriendly measures in museums across the city.
It was opened by deputy mayor responsible for culture and leisure, Coun Piara Singh Clair, assistant mayor for adult social care and wellbeing Coun Vi Dempster and head of arts and museums Joanna Jones.
Coun Clair said: “The dementiafriendly garden came from the idea to provide some quiet space where people could sit down in peace away from the hustle and bustle, and this part of the grounds of Abbey Pumping Station Museum was identified as suitable.
“Hopefully, it will encourage families and carers to visit the museum, both to revisit items that may be familiar reminders of Leicester’s past and to relax outdoors in the grounds.”
A play area in the museum grounds, near to the National Space Centre, is also nearing completion.
The £85,000 facility will feature a range of equipment including a Leicester-themed bus, slides, see-saw and sand activity centre.
Coun Dempster said: “The effects of dementia can have a very profound physical, emotional and psychological impact, both on the individuals and those who care for them, so it is vitally important we are involved in initiatives like this which can help make visiting city council buildings that little bit easier for people living with dementia.
“We are fully committed to taking the dementia agenda forward to raise awareness and ensure dementiafriendly resources are available throughout the city.”
For the past four years, Leicester Museums Service has been part of a citywide dementia agenda, involving partnerships with the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Highcross Leicester and the city council’s adult social care team, as well as building on work done by the National Museums Liverpool’s House of Memories dementia-awareness programme, to develop resources and activities helping people living with dementia, their carers and families to live better.