Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury, has proudly launched a new sensory room designed to support residents living with dementia. The specialist space has been created to enhance wellbeing, comfort and emotional connection, further strengthening the centre’s high-quality dementia care in Oxfordshire.

The project was led by Activities Coordinator Jade Wise, working closely with Admiral Nurse Emma Walker, reinforcing Larkrise’s commitment to providing expert, person-centred dementia support for residents and their families.

A Purpose-Built Sensory Room for People Living with Dementia

The new sensory room has been carefully designed to stimulate the senses in a calm and reassuring environment. Sensory rooms are widely recognised for their positive impact on people living with dementia, helping to reduce anxiety, encourage communication and evoke meaningful memories through sight, sound, touch and movement.

By creating a peaceful, engaging space, Larkrise Care Centre aims to help residents feel relaxed, connected and supported throughout their dementia journey.

Key Features of the Sensory Room

The sensory room includes a range of thoughtfully chosen features, each offering therapeutic benefits:

Bubble lamps provide a soothing visual experience, with gently bubbling, colour-changing liquid and moving fish that promote focus and relaxation.

Soft toys and baby dolls reflect the natural nurturing instincts often seen in people living with dementia. These items can bring comfort, purpose and emotional reassurance.

Animal-themed toys help spark memories of beloved pets, encouraging reminiscence about feeding, caring for and spending time with dogs and cats.

Sensory boards offer a variety of tactile experiences, from smooth to rough textures. Items such as shells and sand can evoke memories of seaside holidays, supporting reminiscence therapy and meaningful conversation.

This type of sensory stimulation plays an important role in helping residents reconnect with positive life experiences.

A Welcoming Space for Families and Loved Ones

The sensory room has also been designed as a welcoming space for families visiting loved ones with dementia. It provides a peaceful environment where relatives can spend quality time together, share memories and feel more connected.

Many of the sensory items are portable, ensuring that residents who are unable to visit the room can still benefit from sensory experiences in their own bedrooms. This inclusive approach reflects Larkrise’s commitment to accessible and compassionate care for everyone.

What the Team Says

Jade Wise, Activities Coordinator at Larkrise Care Centre, said:

“The sensory room is a really special place for our residents and their families to enjoy together. It offers comfort, calm and opportunities to reminisce, which is so important for people living with dementia. I’d also like to thank our local community for their kindness in donating soft toys and dolls, which have already brought so much joy and reassurance to our residents.”

Emma Walker, Admiral Nurse, added:

“Evoking the senses and encouraging reminiscence can have a profound impact for people living with dementia. By creating an environment that feels safe, familiar and stimulating, we support residents to live well with dementia. This sensory room reflects our ethos of enabling people to live well with dementia.”

Dementia Open Day at Larkrise Care Centre, Banbury

Larkrise Care Centre invites the local Banbury community to attend the official unveiling of the sensory room at its Dementia Open Day on Saturday 31 January, 11am–2pm.

The event is ideal for anyone:

• Looking for dementia care in Banbury
• Supporting a loved one with dementia
• Wanting to learn more about dementia support and services

The Larkrise team will be available to answer questions, refreshments will be provided, and a range of Dementia UK resources will be available to take away.

Contact Information

For further information or to book your place, please contact:

📧 Email: c.howse@osjct.co.uk

📞 Phone: 01295 521 200