When it comes to taking care of patients with dementia, staff at Bilney Hall in Dereham, Norfolk, have discovered there’s nothing like a spot of baking to boost memories – and aid social skills.

Bilney Hall, run by Healthcare Homes, East Anglia’s largest independent home care provider, has created a 1950s-style kitchen where residents can bake cakes, biscuits and sausage rolls – or just pop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

And the kitchen has proved a big hit – not only with the residents, but also with visitors who are amazed at how it brings memories from their childhood flooding back.

Bilney Hall Home Manager, Liz Carlton, said: “A lot of people who have dementia remember cooking for their families in the post-war years, especially baking – and they still enjoy doing or watching the whole process from start to finish.

“However, due to environmental health regulations, our patients are not allowed to cook in the main kitchen at Bilney Hall. So we decided to create a separate kitchen where they could cook for themselves.

“We applied for a capital grant from the government, through Norfolk County Council, and received £2,600 to spend on the kitchen. We bought a brand new American-style fridge and a high-level electric cooker, both of which resembled those which were used in the 1950s.

“I then went to antique shops and searched on eBay for old-fashioned bits and pieces to go into the kitchen, such as flying ducks on the wall, an old cupboard with drop-down doors, a wooden table and chairs, and even cutlery, cups and saucers from that era.

“People also donated items after we were featured in an article in the Eastern Daily Press – we even got an old meat safe which someone had found in their garage!

“Then we made knitted dishcloths and found other things from the 1950s like the Be-Ro recipe books, and put items such as Camp Coffee in the cupboards and on the shelves. We had great fun putting it all together!

“On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have a cook who comes in to help guide residents through the process – but they can use the kitchen at other times, as long as they have been assessed by us to be capable and safe to do so.

“The patients love it – even some of the men who are residents here enjoy going and cooking in the kitchen. It is part of what they remember from the past and it helps keep them busy.

“They can cook what they like, although they mostly bake things such as cakes, biscuits and sausage rolls – but they can also go there to have a chat and a cup of tea while things are in the oven. It helps with their social skills and integration.

“Friends and families of patients who visit the home are amazed at how much the residents enjoy using the kitchen – and how many memories it can bring back for them all.”

Bilney Hall, a beautiful period house which dates back to the 19th century, currently has 31 residents, 19 of whom are elderly, mentally infirm (EMI), which includes those with dementia.

It has also built a £1million, two-storey extension, due to open next month, which will create a further 21 bedrooms and other new facilities for people who need specialist mental health care.

Healthcare Homes Chief Executive, Richard Clough, said: “We pride ourselves on the level of care and services we offer. People with dementia need to be treated with real sensitivity and we have the specialist staff to deal with their individual needs at Bilney Hall.”

The extension includes four assisted bath and shower rooms and four day rooms for leisure activities and dining. The building work is expected to be completed this month, with the extension due to be opened on February 15.

Liz added: “We have also converted a lounge into two more bedrooms, so our total capacity at Bilney Hall will soon be increased from 31 to 54 residents.”

For more information on Bilney Hall, please contact Liz Carlton on 01362 860246.