Dementia Action Week 2026 at Heartland Manor in Brockenhurst
From 18–24 May 2026, people across the UK will come together for Dementia Action Week, a national campaign led by Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness of dementia, encourage understanding, and inspire action.
At Everwood, Dementia Action Week is especially important because we see every day how dementia affects not only individuals, but entire families and communities. Through our specialist dementia care provided at Heartland Manor, we are committed to ensuring residents continue to live with dignity, purpose, comfort, and meaningful connections.
Why Dementia Awareness Matters
Dementia is currently the UK’s biggest killer, affecting hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. Sadly, every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia, and 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will go on to develop the condition during their lifetime.
Despite how common dementia is, many families still feel isolated when a loved one receives a diagnosis. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, with concerns about safety, communication, well-being, and whether someone will still feel like themselves as the condition progresses.
Dementia Action Week encourages open conversations, earlier support, greater understanding, and stronger communities for people living with dementia. It reminds us that dementia care is not simply about managing symptoms but preserving identity, comfort, routine, and emotional connection.
A Specialist Dementia Community at Heartland Manor
At the heart of our dementia care offering is Brock Village, our specialist dementia wing at Heartland Manor. Brock Village provides a safe, calming, and engaging environment where people can continue to live with purpose and familiarity.
Rather than feeling clinical or institutional, the dementia wing recreates the familiar atmosphere of a traditional village setting. Residents are encouraged to walk safely, explore meaningful spaces, and engage with their surroundings, which have been carefully designed to stimulate positive memories and reduce anxiety.
The concept behind Brock Village is simple but powerful: familiar environments help residents feel more comfortable, independent, and emotionally secure.
The Village Walk: Encouraging Purpose and Familiarity
One of the standout features within Brock Village is the Village Walk, where residents can move safely through the wing while encountering recognisable village-inspired spaces that encourage gentle stimulation and reminiscence.
For many people living with dementia, walking with purpose is incredibly important. Rather than restricting movement, Brock Village supports safe exploration in an environment created specifically around residents’ needs.
The spaces throughout the wing are designed to spark recognition and comfort, helping residents remain engaged in day-to-day life.
Personalised Bedrooms and Sensory Corridors
Every bedroom within Brock Village has been individually designed to support orientation and familiarity. Doors are painted in different colours, with matching décor inside, helping residents recognise their own personal space more easily.
The corridors themselves are also carefully designed with sensory panels, tactile features, and evocative decorations that stimulate memory while creating a calm and comforting atmosphere.
Reconnecting with Everyday Memories
Our beloved residents love the post office we have in Brock Village, where they can post and receive letters from loved ones, handle their mail, sort cards, look at stamps, and reconnect with familiar daily routines that can trigger comforting memories from earlier life.
Activities that may seem simple to others can hold enormous emotional value for someone living with dementia. Familiar routines often provide reassurance, purpose, and connection.
For some residents, the post office may bring back memories of collecting pensions, sending birthday cards, or keeping in touch with loved ones.
Sensory Rooms Designed for Calm and Comfort
Living with dementia can sometimes feel overwhelming and confusing. Brock Village has a dedicated sensory room designed to offer calm, reassurance, and relaxation.
Soft lighting, gentle music, sensory projections, and interactive features create a peaceful space where residents can feel safe and soothed. Bubble tubes, calming visuals, and tactile experiences all help reduce anxiety and support emotional well-being.
These carefully designed sensory spaces are particularly important during moments of distress or confusion.
The Florist Shop and Beach Corridor
Brock Village also includes a charming florist shop filled with colourful flowers and seasonal displays designed to stimulate memories and sensory engagement. Residents can arrange flowers, enjoy familiar scents, and experience the comforting rhythm of the seasons indoors.
Another distinctive feature is the Beach Corridor, which is a sensory area inspired by traditional seaside memories. Residents can hear seaside sounds, touch sand and pebbles, and engage with textures and scents that evoke memories of holidays and family trips to the coast.
These immersive spaces are designed not only for stimulation but also for emotional connection and comfort.
A Café at the Heart of Community Life
Our Village Café serves as a social hub for families and residents to spend meaningful time together, enjoying homemade cakes, coffee, and conversation in a warm and welcoming environment.
For families, maintaining connection after a dementia diagnosis is incredibly important. Spaces like the café help visits feel natural, relaxed, and enjoyable.
Specialist Dementia Care Built Around the Individual
At Heartland Manor, dementia care is entirely person-centred. Staff receive specialist dementia training and focus on understanding each resident’s life story, routines, preferences, favourite music, hobbies, and comforts.
Care plans are tailored to the individual rather than following rigid routines. Whether someone prefers breakfast later in the morning, enjoys listening to music from their youth, or finds comfort in familiar objects, we adapt according to our residents’ needs.
This personalised approach helps preserve dignity, independence, and identity for as long as possible.
Supporting Families
Dementia affects entire families, not just the individual diagnosed. At Heartland Manor, supporting relatives and loved ones is a central part of care.
We welcome families of our residents who become extended members of the Everwood family, encouraging them to get involved in activities where they feel comfortable, share memories, bring familiar items, and continue spending meaningful time with their loved ones. The team also provides guidance and reassurance as dementia progresses, helping families navigate difficult emotional moments with understanding and compassion.
A Shared Commitment During Dementia Action Week
At Everwood, we are proud of the compassionate and specialist dementia care provided at Heartland Manor. Through thoughtful environments, personalised support, and meaningful human connection, residents are supported to continue living fulfilling lives with dignity and comfort.
This Dementia Action Week, we encourage everyone to wear a Forget Me Not badge, share their story, support those affected by dementia, and help raise awareness of a condition that touches so many lives.