Official Opening of The Frances Centre, Aintree Hospital

Cecilia Toole, CEO, Sight and Mind CIC was honoured to recently be invited to attend the official opening of The Frances Centre at Aintree Hospital; a new space dedicated to supporting the recovery and wellbeing of older patients with dementia and delirium away from the busy ward environment. The centre was made possible thanks to a charitable donation from Professor Ananda Dulal Sarkar in memory of his late wife, Frances who was diagnosed with vascular dementia and passed away in 2021. The unit has been designed using dementia friendly wall wraps with contrasting colours, and safe, matt flooring to minimise confusion and risk of trips and falls. Alongside the indoor facility, which provides a range of appropriate therapies and activities, including reminiscence materials, games and relaxation equipment, an outside space has been developed. This sensory garden with raised flower beds and a variety of flowers and herbs will also be influenced by Frances, as plants from her garden at their home in West Derby will be transferred to the hospital. This includes her favourite flowers, rhododendrons.

Cecilia Toole said “it was a pleasure to be at the official opening of the Frances Centre, Aintree Hospital. Enabling environments, such as these, play an important role in supporting the health and well-being of those living with dementia. I hope that those who are able to access the centre will find it hugely beneficial in terms of activities and therapies as well as a much needed carer resource. The benefits of interacting with nature are equally important, so I couldn’t think of a better tribute to Frances’ memory than to include flowers and plants from her own garden within the sensory garden.