The idea
The pub pod, we will create, is more than just a Pub. It is a safe haven where people, living with dementia/disability and or other physical or mental health issues can reminisce , enjoy activities, attend local cultural events and interact socially with their peers, their carers and others from the community.
It will look and feels like a pub/bar, complete with old beer adverts, games such as dominos and darts, music from the ’50s to the ’90s, and have live entertainers delivering musical reminiscence experiences.
Users will be ables to eat together choosing from a menu of traditional Pub food, cooked freshly from the nearby restaurant.
There Pub will have a seaside feel, and have a 'pub' garden where you can enjoy the sun and watch/engage with others who will be working/enjoying the adjacent dementia friendly sea scape garden.
The Pub will be created within 2 old empty offices previously used as staff and volunteer offices and the garden will be created in the space outside.
What we'll deliver
- We will refurbish the old offices removing a wall to create one large space.
- We will furnish the space to resemble a Pub. This will include a pool table and dart board plus traditional pub games
- We will create an outdoor area (Pub Garden) extending the pub experience outside into the garden
- We will refurbish the exterior to resemble a pub including a traditional pub sign
- We will, as part of the experience, provide traditional pub meals in the pub from our onsite restaurant
- We will hold local cultural art music and theatre event including singalong sessions
- We will hold audio visual events to stimulate the minds of those living with dementia and promote reminiscence
Why it's a great idea
People affected by dementia or disability often have to give up the things they love due to inaccessible/unsupportive environments. This can lead to loneliness, isolation and a deterioration in health and wellbeing. A Pub Pod creates a safe environment where people can reminisce and interact socially with their peers, carers and others from the community. It is a space that allows staff volunteers, families and carers to evoke memories to stimulate conversation. Remembering brings a new awareness to the present. Memories can be explored in many creative ways that place value on a person’s unique experience. Triggers evoke a memory, the best triggers are those that stimulate our five senses: taste, smell, touch, sound and sight all these are stimulated in the pod. Reminiscence themes and traditional activities provide opportunities for social interaction around shared experiences, this can: Improve communication, well-being, self-care and mood and provide enjoyable social activity.
Steps to get it done
- The site will be cleared and the internal wall will be removed and made good
- The site will be decorated and appropriate flooring fitted
- The site will be furnished with appropriate seating and tables.
- The site will be decorated with pub memorabilia.
The Pub will be a complimentary addition to a series of renovations at the site, which will include the creation of a disability/dementia friendly garden, cinema, gym and men's shed/craft room.
These new opportunities will create a Community Hub at the site.
A Community Hub is a special place where people can eat, meet with others and enjoy experiences, with others, whatever their disability or age. It is a safe place where those living with dementia can do all this and experience reminisce and sensory experiences, that can stimulate interaction and communication with those around them.
The Pub Pod will be at the heart of all the activities and be the launch pad for a number of events,exhibitions, music and theatrical performances.
