In late 2023 and into early 2024, Dementia Friendly Audits were carried out in Finsbury Park, Priory Park and Woodside Park with residents experiencing dementia and carers. Participants included members of The Park Theatre Reminiscence Group at Finsbury Park, attendees of Tom’s Club, The Haynes Centre at Priory Park and attendees of the Dementia Carers Café run by The Cypriot Community Centre and Carers First at Woodside Park.
The audits were based on the Checklist produced by The UK Network for Dementia Voices.
As well as identifying specific issues relating to these parks, audit participants highlighted a number of areas relating to signage, seating, surfaces, socialising and sense of place that are applicable across all our parks, as set out below. The valuable insights participants shared during the audit process have shaped and informed our Accessibility Action Plan.
Signage
- Welcome signage is not large enough and therefore difficult to read
- The welcome signage could be more welcoming through focusing on what can be enjoyed within the park rather than on what is not permitted
- Inconsistent branding, with varying colours and fonts, can cause confusion
- The colour contrast on some of the signage, especially gold on black, is difficult to read
- Buildings that do not have signage to indicate what is inside can be disconcerting.
- There is insufficient signage to support people to orientate themselves within the park
- Coloured exit signs would help people to identify where they are within the park.
Seating
- Sheltered seating to protect from both rain and sun would be welcomed
- Seating of varying heights is required to meet different needs
- Communal seating would create opportunities for increased sociability within the parks which would in turn contribute towards reducing social isolation and loneliness
- Seating with arms supports people to lower themselves onto the seat and to get up again
- More seating ideally required at the entrances to the parks.
Surfaces
- Uneven surfaces can deter people from using the park due to the fear of falling over.
Socialising
- Organised activity can be a great way of attracting people into the park and enabling them to get familiar and comfortable with the space before going on to enjoy more informal activity within the park too
- Could equipment such as giant games be available on loan for groups to access when they are in the park
- Parks staff are not always easily identifiable and it’s not clear if they can be approached for help, including with directions if someone becomes disorientated within the park.
Sense of place
- Could we do more to connect people to the parks heritage and distinctiveness as well as that of the local area through increased interpretation boards and Tree ID within the park that is clear and engaging to read
- Public art projects and soundscapes could help orientate people within the space in fun and creative ways.