Activity boxes, Roker Ward, Monkwearmouth Hospital

Roker is an inpatient unit based at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland. Roker has 12 beds providing assessment and treatment by a multi-disciplinary health and social care team for older people with mental health problems arising from organic disorders such as dementia.

Using money raised by donors for Roker’s fund, staff on the unit were able to purchase activity boxes. Zonal engagement aims to promote effective and meaningful engagement whilst providing safe levels of observation and engagement for service users. The aim is to foster a culture and ethos of purposeful and meaningful engagement with staff and patients with a focus on engagement using activity and sensory equipment.

Barbara, a clinical lead on Roker said that having the activity boxes was a way to increase engagement with patients to increase their wellbeing when on the ward. The varying activities are aimed at all different levels of cognition and included activities such as sensory items, books, photos and quick games such as jigsaws and dominoes.

Feedback from the service:

The introduction of the activity boxes has increased activity and engagement with patients, has enhanced their wellbeing as well as contributed to the patient’s overall assessment – Barbara, Clinical Lead