Relatives of care home residents and staff team members have taken part in an immersive virtual dementia tour.

The visit by Training 2 Care UK, the UK partners of the Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT®), was part of Friends of the Elderly’s Dementia Education Programme and took place at New Copford Place (NCP) in Colchester.

“I’d heard about the Virtual Dementia Tour and how it was invented by world renowned dementia specialist, PK Beville,” said Lucy Buckle, deputy manager at NCP.

“I thought it would be an interesting and informative way to physically demonstrate to our care home team members and relatives the world – as our residents, who are living with dementia see and experience it – every day.

“We are a charity and I know how important every penny is, so to raise the additional funds for the Virtual Dementia Tour to visit NCP, I took part in two 12 kilometre Nuclear Mud Races and a sponsored fire walk. I can honestly say that each kilometre and every hot step, was totally worth it.

“The Virtual Dementia Tour was well attended by our residents’ relatives and members of our care team, from all departments – management, administration, care team, activities, domestic – and our Dementia Champions – everyone got involved.”

In the Virtual Dementia Tour attendees experienced a detailed simulation, unlike anything they had taken part in before.

“It was like opening a window, pulling the curtains back and taking a giant step into the world of dementia,” Buckle added.