Virtual Dementia Tour Bus comes to Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is bringing the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus to town on Tuesday 25 September.

The 'tour' was created to give people the experience of what it might be like to live with dementia.  By understanding dementia from the point of view of someone living with it, carers are better placed to improve the care they deliver, as well as helping others become more aware of the impact dementia has on individuals.

The tour takes place on a bus converted to replicate the rooms of a house and it gives participants the chance to experience a little of what it can be like to live with dementia.

The experience can be scary and make participants feel vulnerable.  After the tour on the bus there is a debrief that takes place with others to discuss the experience and how it might change perceptions.  The Virtual Dementia Tour uses sensory equipment to give an experience of what living with dementia might be like.  The Virtual Dementia Tour links in with the District Council's aim to be a dementia friendly organisation.  

Cllr Jacqui Harris, Health, Wellbeing and Housing Portfolio Holder says: "It is great that this opportunity is available to District Council employees, elected members and members of the public.  Enabling people to have a better understanding of what it's like to live with dementia, it helps to create a more dementia friendly community."

There are three sessions of the tour:

9:30am to 12:00noon
12:15pm to 2:45pm and
3pm to 5:15pm

Each session, lasting two and a half hours, can accommodate up to 12 delegates.

To book a place please contact Marie Darwen at Stratford-on-Avon District Council on 01789 260108 or marie.darwen@stratford-dc.gov.uk