Lancing dementia event proves a hit, giving carers an immersive experience and valuable insight

The Virtual Dementia Tour bus, run by training2care, was a key feature, giving valuable insight into the sensory overload associated with dementia to help carers gain a better understanding.

Janet Withell, who runs a dementia support group at Chesham House, the Royal Voluntary Service's central hub in Lancing, organised the bus and she said the wider event on Friday, September 4, grew from that initial suggestion.

Janet said: “We had an exciting day with the first Dementia Carers Awareness Event. We had the dementia bus parked outside Lancing Parish Hall and we had 54 people go through the experience. Inside the hall, we had 15 stalls with local companies who have some connection with dementia.

“Those who came to the event said they found a lot of support and information. We had mostly positive feedback from those who went on the bus, although many found it overwhelming, and it gave them a better understanding of the challenges that someone living with dementia experiences.

“My suggestion of having the bus, so the carers in the group I run could empathise more with what their loved ones were going through, escalated! I mentioned the idea to Vanessa Evans, local councillor, who spoke to the parish council, who agreed to host the event at Lancing Parish Hall, organised by Fran Corney.”

Fran said Lancing Parish Council worked in partnership with Beehive Care, Lancing Carers Support Group and Adur Voluntary Action to host the new, free event.

The bus was a key feature of the day, giving people an immersive experience designed to help them understand some of the physical and cognitive realities of living with dementia.

With spiked souls in their shoes, dark glasses that totally changed the vision, thick gloves with the fingers stitched together and headphones blaring out a variety of sounds, people were plunged into darkness and given a task to carry out, like laying the table or drawing a picture.

It left you completely disorientated, offering an insight into some of the everyday challenges faced by people living with dementia.

Knitted emotional support chickens, part of a global phenomenon, were made available to people who needed comfort. They are designed to be a symbol of community, humour and handmade love while being the perfect shape to cuddle.

Janet said it was a successful day and thanked Fran, Vanessa and Kim Wiggett from Beehive Dementia Hub for all the hard work they put it in. The plans is for it to now become an annual event.