RemPod dementia screen at James Pringle Weavers in Highland capital helps to bring back memories
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A HIGHLAND clothing store has introduced a special screen aimed at helping customers with dementia.
James Pringle Weavers, in Holm Mills Shopping Village, has installed the hi-tech device which aims to provide a calming atmosphere.
Staff at the shop raised the money to buy the RemPod, which aims to evoke memories of years gone by, and it is now in place in the café.
It looks like an old fashioned railway carriage complete, with a table and four chairs, and has items such as tea cups and saucers and a newspaper – while the screen shows the passing countryside seen during a rail journey.
Manager Neil Souter said the idea first came to him after he spoke with a woman, whose husband had dementia, who worked with Alzheimer Scotland.
He said the RemPod came up during the course of the conversation – they were first featured on the TV show Dragons’ Den and the product was backed by both Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden.
“I thought it was a fantastic idea,” he said. “Two members of staff have fathers with dementia.”
Mr Souter said members of staff decided to raise the money for the screen.
He said some of their customers were of an age where they were likely to suffer from the condition, adding: “I thought it would be good for the store.”
Money was raised in a number of ways, such as fashion show events, and they also received a £500 donation from the Caring and Sharing charity.
Staff made masks which they sold to boost funds and, from January 2020, they raised a total of £2700 over a period of 18 months.
Mr Souter said: “The idea is that people can come in with a family member with dementia and sit in the carriage.
“It’s a calming influence for them.”
He said he was thinking of offering bookable half-hour slots which should be enough time for them to enjoy the facility.
