Sensory Room Officially Opened

Sandy Taylor cuts the ribbon

People with dementia in Durham and Chester-le-Street now have a new Sensory Room in which to relax and experience a range of sensory stimulation.

The new room, which is at the Alzheimer's Society's Day Centre at The Green, Nettlesworth, was officially opened on 11 February 2005 by Sandy Taylor, Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust. The society and the Trust have strong links, and in his address Mr Taylor paid tribute to the work of the Alzheimer's Society in caring for people with dementia.

Also present were Cllr Alan Turner, Vice Chairman of Chester-le-Street Council and Mrs Turner, Cllr Mary Hawgood, Mayor of Durham City and Dr Hawgood and Cllr Alan Fenwick, Chairman of Durham County Council.

Debbie Keenan, Alzheimer's Society, Sally Moran and Jackie Calvert (Durham Passport Office) and Jennifer Brown, Branch Manager Alzheimer's Society Durham and Chester-le-Street Branch with the presentation cheque from workers at the Passport Office

Many Alzheimer's Society staff, volunteers and members came too, and also Jackie Calvert and Sally Moran from the Durham Passport office who presented a large cheque to the Branch Manager, Jennifer Brown. The contribution raised by the Passport Office staff gave a superb start to the appeal for the conversion of the room and buying the equipment. This includes light shows, music, aromas fibre optics, strokable 'pets' and bubble tubes.

Mark Walker, Alzheimer's Society Head of Regional Services for the North, tries out some of the equipment in the Sensory Room

Mark Walker, Alzheimer's Society Head of Regional Services for the North, presented a special national award to long serving Alzheimer's Society volunteer Betty Mordue, which was received by Teresa Pryor on her behalf as she was too ill to attend in person.

Most visitors spent some time in the Sensory Room trying out the various stimulae available - in fact it was hard to get some out so others could have a turn!

Debbie Keenan, the Branch Care Services Manager said, "The clients love the room and it is a real benefit to them."


Some of the delicious food prepared by Branch Staff for the celebratory party	Cllr Mary Hawgood, Mayor of Durham talks to Marjorie McBride (Alzheimer's Society) with Dr Hawgood


Cllr Alan Fenwick, Chairman of Durham County Council	Jeff Slack, committee member Alzheimer's Society talks with Sandy Taylor and Trust Chaplain Pat Francis


Debbie Keenan (Alzheimer's Society) talks with Cllr Alan Turner, Vice Chairman of Chester-le-Street Council and Mrs Turner in the Sensory Room.	Marjorie McBride, Mark Walker and Jennifer Brown in the Day Centre's kitchen


Shiela Dilworth, Branch Manager Sunderland Branch Alzheimer's Society talks to Caroline Burdon, Regional Manager, Alzheimer's Society Northern Region, Pat Francis and Sandy Taylor behind.	Sandy Taylor cuts the belated Alzheimer's Society's 25th birthday cake, watched by Ernie Thompson, Chairman of Sunderland Branch Alzheimer's Society.

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