Knowl Park House - Day opportunities for adults with dementia

Dementia-friendly by design

The Knowl Park House building has been designed in collaboration with the University of Stirling's Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) who have established a set of dementia standards, which we follow, aimed at improving the quality of life for people living with dementia. The DSDC have a highly regarded international reputation, backed by academic research for promoting best practice in designing environments for people living with dementia.

How we help

Knowl Park House is a safe, informal, friendly environment for people to meet others and take part in activities that help maintain their life skills, stimulate their minds and bodies and have fun. The service gives carers or families a much-needed break and some time to themselves. Our service is designed to help people with dementia to continue to live in their own homes and remain as independent as possible.

Meeting changing needs

Our service continually develops to meet the changing needs of people with dementia and their carers.

We:

• enable people to be independent and make their own decisions and choices
• improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and help them to make use of community-based services
• provide a high level of personal and emotional support according to individual needs
• offer a safe, friendly, inclusive, and stimulating environment where people living with dementia can socialise and interact with peers if they wish

Each person living with dementia will get their own key worker. They will work with them and their families or carers to formulate a personalised support plan, based on their identified needs and wishes.

We provide people the choice of whether to participate as part of a group or individually in a range of building-based and community activities. There are opportunities for people living with dementia to maintain and enhance their independence and life skills.

Our facilities and activities

There are state-of-the-art facilities including:

• a wellbeing zone
• an activity zone
• a home therapy zone
• sensory gardens

The mix of spaces have been developed to ensure the service is accessible to everyone. Knowl Park House is an inclusive environment, which meets the varying needs of people living with dementia, including those with physical disabilities, sensory needs, and mobility needs.

What is available in each of our zones

Wellbeing Zone

People can relax, reduce anxiety and unwind in our spa area, which incorporates hairdressing, a nail bar and hand massages; our cinema room where people can watch the days feature film or play a game of pool, or undertake some light physical activity.

Activities Zone

People can find companionship, have fun, receive mental stimulation and try new things in our Activities Zone. Common activities include arts and crafts, tabletop games, use of our Rainbow table, table tennis, and physical activity.

Home Therapy Zone

People can maintain or learn new skills in our kitchen area where they can cook or bake with friends, reminisce on days gone by in the lounge, or just relax in front of the fire and TV. The home zone also incorporates a semi-immersive room with a virtual railway carriage, where people can let their imagination take over.

Gardens

Our gardens offer a positive and peaceful space that promotes wellbeing. People can relax, unwind and have a breath of fresh air. They can visit the potting shed, greenhouse and raised beds. There is a water feature in the sensory garden, plenty of outdoor seating and a covered Gazebo and pergola to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet.

High-tech building

Modern technology and equipment is built-in throughout the building including:

• advanced audio in different areas
• interactive rainbow table
• wide, bright corridors with seating nooks overlooking gardens
• Ceiling Track Hoists available in the 3 main areas and Hygiene rooms
• fully equipped accessible toilets and hygiene rooms.

Toilets are designed to provide an extra level of support, enabling individuals who may have mobility impairments due to injury, illness, or visual impairment to use the toilet independently. The hygiene rooms also have changing tables.

Serving healthy, nutritious food

Maintaining a healthy, varied diet is important for everyone's overall wellbeing and physical health.

We offer a varied menu and have meals that cover a wide range of dietary needs, including those with cultural, religious or other specialist requirements. Refreshments are available throughout the day and a two-course midday meal at lunch time.

Our spacious and attractive dining spaces offer the opportunity to dine in comfort in a sociable environment, receiving the level of support appropriate to individual needs.

Centre for Excellence

The Centre for Excellence at Knowl Park House is independent of the Day Service and is a flexible space where Kirklees residents can work with the Council and partner services to access advice, training, and support relating to all aspects of dementia.

How to access dementia day services

We can only accept people through a referral process. Please contact our adult social care team via the Community Health and Social Care Hub in the first instance.

Contact adult social care services.

How to get to Knowl Park House

To make the most of your day, your family or carers can drop you off and collect you. Our opening times are flexible. We can provide transport in some circumstances.

Contact information