Representatives from Defying Dementia, including Dr Edward Parkin (lead scientist) and Alice Wood (Defying Dementia funded PhD researcher) recently took part in a powerful hands-on training experience designed to deepen understanding of dementia. Provided by Training2Care and hosted by Bluebird Care at Willow Mill care home in Caton near Lancaster, the event brought together local organisations, families and care professionals to experience the ‘Dementia Bus’, an initiative designed to enable the user to experience dementia from the patient’s point of view.

The visit came at the kind invitation of Claire Evans, Director and owner of Bluebird Care, who along with Helen Prady, Specialist Dementia Care Lead at Bluebird Care, arranged for the ‘Dementia Bus’ to visit the care home. The innovative, immersive training experience is designed to enable participants to step into the shoes of a person living with dementia, helping them to understand the world from a patient’s perspective.

The experience offered a vivid glimpse into the profound and often distressing effects that dementia can have on the mind and senses. It also served as a powerful reminder of why continued research and compassionate care are so vital in the fight against this devastating disease.

The event brought together a range of people united by a shared commitment to improving dementia care, including carers, relatives, scientists, and local MP Lizzi Collinge, who joined the group to take part.

Opportunities like this highlight the importance of collaboration across all aspects of dementia support and research. By coming together – sharing experiences, insights and empathy – we can continue to raise awareness and strengthen dementia care within our local communities.

The Defying Dementia team left the event inspired and more determined than ever to continue their work towards understanding, treating and fighting dementia.

Alice Wood, Postgraduate Researcher at Lancaster University, said: “The Dementia Bus was an experience that offered a heartbreaking glimpse into the world as perceived by someone living with dementia. As scientists, our focus is often centred around data and analysis, so it was nice to step out of the lab setting and remind ourselves of the importance of why we do this work and who it’s for. For me, the experience has served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for a cure and has left me with a deeper understanding and empathy for those living with dementia. I’d recommend the Dementia Bus to anyone who gets the opportunity.”