A new interactive, supersized touchscreen tablet at a day care centre in Asheldham is inspiring and helping guests living with dementia, staff have said.

Knightswood Day Care Centre, which supports elderly and socially-isolated residents and those living with dementia, recently bought the Tiny Tablet for their guests - a dream staff have had for many years.

The centre was able to buy the device thanks to a generous donation from the Burnham Day Centre, which had to close this year after supporting the community for over 40 years due to Covid restrictions that made it impossible to continue.

Joan and Tom Cooper, who ran the Burnham Day Centre for many years, met with volunteers and decided to donate some of their funds to Knightswood.

After staff at Knightswood discussed their ideas with Joan and Tom, they decided to invest in Tiny.

Brenda Hopkins, senior team leader at Knightswood, said: "It feels like Christmas has come early - a touch screen device has been on our wish list for many years but we never thought we would be in a position to buy something like this."

Staff said that Tiny has proved a huge hit among those who use the centre's services - particularly with guests who have dementia.

The tablet enhances the senses and activates the body and mind by functioning as a tool for the stimulation of light, sound, touch and movement.

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Guests can use the tablet to get creative with colouring and drawing, play games, complete picture quizzes, get moving to music, have sing-a-longs and watch videos.

It also stimulates their senses through interactive apps that create patterns, colours, shapes and sounds - they can even create their own on-screen firework display.

Brenda said: "We've only scratched the surface with the possibilities we have with Tiny.

"We can tailor its use to each client and add new apps to keep it fresh and exciting. It literally is the gift that keeps on giving."

Evelyn Fitz-Patrick, CEO of Knightswood, said: "We will be forever grateful to Joan, Tom and everyone at The Burnham Day Centre for gifting this money to us, and it's an honour to continue their legacy at Knightswood."

Knightswood provides care to residents of the Dengie and beyond.

The centre is open from Tuesday to Friday, and residents can choose to visit from one to four days a week.

Click here for more information about the centre, including the support group it runs for those living with dementia.

You can also click [L]https://knightswoodcare.co.uk/contact-us[L+] to contact Knightswood.