The Happiness Programme at Age UK Wandsworth

1​0 September 2024

We took a trip in-person to the Age UK Wandsworth day centre to visit the team and see how the service users interact with the projector in person.

The day centre in Wandsworth is a specialist centre for older people, adults with disabilities and adults with dementia. On our visit we got to meet Frank Colley, Deputy Manager at the day centre.

The interactive table is set-up in the dementia specialist room, but mobile around the building. When we visited, it was being projected onto a table, with service users sat around competing on our latest release, Swimming. Service users seemed lively and engaged, and enthusiastic about the game.

The team were open to new ideas for using the projector and were excited when we recommended using props like feather dusters or sticks to create a more immersive experience.

“We love it because the users get very excited about seeing something they can be part of, they’re interacting with what’s on the table. They communicate with each other when they’re using the projector and they’re helping each other and working as a team.”

“For example, there is one service user who hasn’t been on the train in a long time and she didn’t know what it was like. We used the interactive projector and put it on the wall and shook the table, it was like she was on a train ride. It’s exciting for people, it’s something different and it’s something not expected.”

“A lot of people think older people aren’t comfortable using technology but actually when you introduce them to it they get immersed and actively enjoy it. It gives them the opportunity to not be isolated, it gives them community. Our service users are so confident with the technology they ask to use it.”