The Dementia Bus will arrive at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Thursday 14 May 2026, offering residents an immersive experience to better understand the daily challenges faced by people living with dementia. The interactive session will be held in the hospital’s main entrance car park from 10:00 until 15:30 and is open to any member of the public interested in taking part.
The visit is hosted by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and coincides with the launch of a new dementia strategy. This initiative aims to equip healthcare staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide compassionate, person-centred care for patients, their families, and carers.
Known as the Virtual Dementia Tour, the experience takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participants are provided with goggles, headphones, and spiky insoles that replicate the sensory changes associated with the condition, such as distorted vision, loud noises, and sensory overload. By attempting to perform everyday tasks while using this equipment, visitors can gain a practical perspective on what it might be like to live with dementia.
The tour was invented 25 years ago by Professor PK Beville and is managed in the UK by Training2Care UK Ltd. The programme is scientifically proven to improve participant understanding, with research from Ulster University indicating it changes practice for the majority of those who undergo the training. Across the UK, more than 200,000 people participate in the tour each year, and it has been commissioned by over 18 NHS trusts.
This event serves as a precursor to Dementia Action Week, which is led by the Alzheimer’s Society and takes place from 18 to 24 May 2026. The national campaign focuses on raising awareness and sharing stories to support those affected by the condition.
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