Understanding dementia is important not only for those working in care, but also for families, friends and the wider community.
That’s why we were pleased to open our doors at Lynwood Care Centre in Ascot to host the Virtual Dementia Tour, bringing together people from across Ascot and Sunninghill for a day of learning and reflection.
We welcomed representatives from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, social care practitioners, local volunteers and charitable organisations, alongside relatives of our residents and members of the public interested in learning more about dementia.
The Virtual Dementia Tour uses sensory simulations to help participants explore some of the challenges a person living with dementia may experience in everyday situations. It encourages people to consider how familiar surroundings, tasks and interactions might be experienced differently.
Members of our care and reception teams joined the sessions too. We’re always looking for ways to develop our understanding of dementia, and the tour gave us another opportunity to reflect on the everyday experiences of our residents living with dementia, and how we can continue to support them in the best possible way.
Here are just a few photos from the experience:

Learning from different perspectives
One of the most valuable parts of the day was the conversation that followed each session.
Attendees shared their experiences and reflections, with some describing the tour as “eye-opening”. It gave people from different backgrounds the opportunity to discuss dementia, ask questions and consider how greater understanding can influence everyday interactions.
Alison Stevens, Customer Relations Manager at Lynwood Care Centre, said:
“What made the day particularly valuable was the conversation it prompted afterwards. People were reflecting on what they had experienced and thinking about situations from a different perspective.”
“Understanding dementia matters not only to those working directly in care, but to families and the wider community too. We were really pleased to be able to bring people together at Lynwood to learn and have those conversations.”
At Lynwood Care Centre, supporting people living with dementia involves understanding each resident as an individual, including their needs, preferences and the ways they communicate.
We also recognise how important it is to support families and build relationships with local professionals and organisations, sharing knowledge and encouraging conversations that can help people better understand dementia.
Hosting the Virtual Dementia Tour was one opportunity to bring those different perspectives together, so thank you to everyone who joined us.
We’re keen to continue working with our local community so we are pleased to be welcoming professionals from across the area to Lynwood for a breakfast event, in November, with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. More details to be released via RBWM.gov.uk soon.
