Ross Collard writes:
Dan Boulger from the Bradford Odeon virtually attend the Face It Together (FIT) Group. A group of people living with dementia who want to influence their communities to become dementia friendly and let people know what it’s like for people living with dementia.
Dan attended the group and gave a presentation on the existing Odeon set up and the what the plans are to develop the Odeon going forward.
The presentation involved the following aspects:
- New site layout
- Patterns to be used
- Colours to be used
- Typefaces
- Toilets
- Website layout and how to book tickets
- Journey to your seat
We discussed the above which also bought up conversation on the following:
– Importance of contrasting colours in areas especially toilets
– Difficulties in navigating spaces and the importance of clear signage and directions.
– The option of use of a quiet room and/or medical room.
– the difficulty of using steps.
– importance of staff knowing someone has dementia and may need extra support.
– importance of contrasting colours in restaurants such as difference in colour between table and cutlery or plates
After the group fed back, Dan came back to me with the following details with also an invitation to come along to the Odeon before it is opened for a tour.
‘The entrance barrier matting was going to be a dark grey with lighter flecks (say 80/20 mix), which they can change to a mix with more light grey in it (say 50/50 mix) which gives a generally much lighter appearance. This is the lightest in that range, which are obviously generally quite dark to hide the dirt. They will also change the linking strips from dark to light grey.
It will have this finish now (in the picture with the revolving door): https://www.gradus.com/files/webfm/uploaded/Downloads_Press%20Releases/Case%20Study%20-%20Carpets%20&%20Matting%20-%20Elizabeth%20Line%20Depot%20at%20Old%20Oak%20Common.pdf.pdf which is hopefully better for those with the visual perspective that was discussed.
Where there was the herringbone floor pattern in the slides I showed you, the architect confirmed that the foyers do not have any black and the planks are large scale, so hopefully not too busy when you’re actually in there and it is busy with people. The only black planks are smaller ones in the Cabaret Bar. There aren’t too many here, and they seem to be consolidated to one side leaving a route through the area still. The samples are still to be signed off on site, so I will see then.
The toilets will have dark floors and white sanitary ware, so the contrast of fittings to background should be fine.
I hope this helps people who may experience difficulties. If that change can make the venue accessible to a group of people who would otherwise have been put off, I’m pleased to have been able to facilitate it’
We had a successful meeting. If you do have any other organisations or services that would like the opinions of people with dementia to influence change then the group is willing and available. We will be looking at ways to develop this to encourage organisations or services to come forward to ask and consult with the group about what they can do to make themselves ‘ Dementia Friendly’. Through this we can truly get the opinions and thoughts of people with dementia and influence what makes a difference to them in their community.
Ross Collard
Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator – Bradford District
The Alzheimer’s Society
Mob: 07483 926212
Tel: 0113 231 1727
W: www.dementiafriends.org.uk
