Gold for Knowl Park House
Images courtesy of Kirklees Council.
DSDC is delighted to award Knowl Park House in Mirfield a Gold Audit Accreditation Award for its Design for Dementia and Ageing – congratulations!
Knowl Park House officially opened its doors on 14 May 2025, where DSDC was also able to hand over the award. This new building, within Kirklees Council (UK), is a purpose-built day care facility for adults living with a dementia.
Dementia design is a recognised non-pharmacological intervention to support someone with a dementia. Research has demonstrated that it can improve quality of life for the person with a dementia and their care partner, reduce negative responsive presentations and support abilities for longer. DSDC collaborates with clients to create environments, and products, which are supportive for our ageing population and people living with a dementia.
Kirklees Council have been working with the DSDC for a number of years, recognising the significance of creating spaces which are supportive of the ageing population and the needs of their residents.
The building was officially opened by the Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Nosheen Dad, who unveiled a commemorative plaque in the presence of key dignitaries from the council and health and social care partners across Kirklees.
“I am incredibly pleased that we have officially opened Knowl Park House. This is a key investment in providing a high quality dementia day service for those people who need it the most.
“We have made use of some of the highest standards in design principles to enable service users to be as independent as possible whilst they are here. Each of the zones in the day care centre provide a warm, friendly, and inviting ambience and we have worked hard to ensure the University of Stirling’s dementia design principles were adhered to at every stage of the project. I offer huge congratulations to our teams on achieving gold standard accreditation.
“Knowl Park House will serve as our flagship dementia day service providing respite for carers whilst their loved ones enjoy the amazing spaces in the building. We set out to build a modern, fit for purpose facility that would enable people living with dementia to live well for longer, in their own homes or with their families, and we have done exactly that.”
“Designing for an ageing population, and people living with a diagnosis of a dementia, has never been more important. Incorporating simple, evidence-based, design recommendations can allow individuals living with a diagnosis of dementia to be more independent and can reduce some of the symptoms of a dementia.
“Kirklees Council recognised the significance of our dementia design principles to support their centre users, and they have championed their integration into this wonderful centre, since its inception. The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) is delighted to have worked with Kirklees Council and their design team on this project, and we recognise the value this new centre brings to the residents of Kirklees for years to come.”
