Design team behind an innovative dementia home wins a prestigious award

The team who designed, built and manage a specialist dementia care home in Hampshire has won a Pinders Healthcare Design Award.

Colten Care won the award in recognition of St Catherines View in Winchester at the Pinders Design Awards in London on 21 March.

The care home, which opened in May last year, has a variety of rooms and garden spaces designed especially for memory stimulation. Special indoor and outdoor navigational aids have also been introduced to help residents retain their independence for as long as possible.

Jon Chapman, judging panel chairman and director of Pinders, said: “While most care homes claim to provide care for those living with some form of dementia, very few can offer the accommodation and facilities which positively assist in making life easier for their residents.

“The attention to detail, both inside and outside at St Catherines, is superb, clearly built on an understanding of how to enable independence while minimising the frustration and stress which dementia brings.”

Alan Portsmouth, Colten Care’s head of technical design, collected the award. He said: “People living with dementia respond very well to environments that are safe, therapeutic and stimulating. That approach has informed all aspects of the design of St Catherines View and the ongoing care we give our residents every day.

“For example, they can spend time in a potting shed in the garden, play on a safety swing and sit inside a wildlife hide to watch the birds and animals in the grounds. We have a café-style room with al fresco table and chairs. We also have features such as a traditional red phone box and a garden bus stop that help people reminisce about past routines and journeys.”

After winning the award Colten Care was given the opportunity to nominate a charity to receive a £500 cheque from Pinders. The company chose the Southampton Admiral Nurse Service in honour of its contribution to dementia care.