Immersive simulation and workshops arrive at Caddington Grove
Residents of Dunstable and surrounding communities are being invited to take part in a rare, hands-on learning opportunity aimed at increasing understanding of dementia. On Tuesday 22 September, Caddington Grove Care Home on London Road will host a Virtual Dementia Tour bus operated by Training 2 Care, opening its doors to the public between 10:00am and 4:30pm.
The event forms part of activity planned during World Alzheimer’s Month and is billed as an immersive way for people to experience, in a controlled environment, some of the sensory and cognitive challenges encountered by people living with dementia. The care home will also run a programme of workshops and inclusive activities designed to support carers, families and those with a professional interest in dementia care.
What visitors can expect
The Virtual Dementia Tour is a timed, guided simulation that places participants in scenarios intended to replicate the disorientation, sensory change and memory difficulties associated with dementia. Caddington Grove has arranged for the tour bus to be parked in the care home's car park, while additional events — described by the organisers as an 'open house' — will take place inside the home.
- When: Tuesday 22 September
- Where: Caddington Grove Care Home, London Road, Dunstable
- Virtual Dementia Tour bus access: 10:00am–4:30pm
- Other offering: workshops and dementia-friendly activities during the open house
Community Relations Manager Louise Chilcott said the care home hoped the simulation would bridge a gap between concept and lived experience.
“It is hard for people to truly understand what those living with dementia experience day to day. We are proud to be hosting the Virtual Dementia Tour from Training 2 Care and to be able to provide an immersive experience.”
Local significance and practical benefits
For Dunstable, the event has several practical implications. First, it creates an opportunity for neighbours and family members to gain empathy and practical insight into the challenges of dementia, which can inform day-to-day support and communication. Second, the workshops could provide carers with new strategies and signpost local services. Finally, by staging the tour in a public, accessible setting, the organisers aim to reduce stigma and encourage conversations across generations.
While the tour does not replace clinical training or real-world experience of dementia care, immersive exercises like this can highlight simple environmental and communicative adjustments that make a measurable difference to someone’s daily life. The presence of dementia-friendly activities also means those with the condition can engage in an environment designed to be inclusive.
How to take part and what to bear in mind
Anyone interested in attending can turn up during the scheduled hours, though participants should allow time for the guided simulation and any related workshops. Families and carers considering attendance should be aware the experience may be emotionally affecting; it is designed to evoke cognitive and sensory symptoms rather than to provide a clinical diagnosis.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event date | Tuesday 22 September |
| Location | Caddington Grove Care Home, London Road, Dunstable |
| Bus access times | 10:00am–4:30pm |
| Activities | Virtual Dementia Tour, workshops, dementia-friendly activities |
Events of this nature form part of a wider effort to make dementia care and awareness more visible at a local level. For those living in Dunstable who have been touched by dementia, or who work in health and social care, the day may offer both practical tools and reassurance that community resources are engaging with the condition.
Organisers advise prospective visitors to check with Caddington Grove directly on the day if they have accessibility requirements or questions about participation.
