Coupar Angus resident has dream realised with new sensory room

A 99-year old Perthshire man who completed a self-determined walking challenge last summer has donated the funds he raised to create a sensory room for his fellow residents at BCG’s Coupar Angus care home.

Over the course of 31 days, the remarkable Dennis Arnold – who reaches his centenary this March – walked the grounds of the home through rain and shine to clock up 16 miles: the equivalent distance of walking to and from his former home in Alyth. Locals came out to cheer from their doorsteps when Dennis returned to his home town to complete the last stretch of the challenge.

Now, with excited and willing assistance from the home’s team, from Maintenance Officer, Cameron Holden and Activities Coordinator, Louisa Pearson, to home manager Kirsty Stevens, Dennis’s wish has been fulfilled. New equipment has been gathered and built into a fantastic new space for residents to enjoy.

The space is intended to provide a therapeutic experience to reduce stress and promote wellbeing, with soothing lights, calming sounds, tactile materials and smells that help provide relaxation and sensory exploration.

Dennis Arnold said: “I am delighted that the proceeds have been used to fund this wonderful new addition to such a fantastic home, full of supportive activity to help stimulate the minds of my friends and give them peace through relaxation. BCG Coupar Angus is quite simply a wonderful home and I really wanted to do something that would help to bring even more comfort to my friends.”

Kirsty Stevens, Home Manager at BCG Coupar Angus, said: “Dennis is such a selfless character; when people started donating money to encourage him in his chosen challenge, his first thought was to make use of it for a boost for his friends here, with specialised sensory equipment.

“Residents are already feeling the benefit of this fantastic new space. It’s a place where they’ll find calm, and soothing influences. One of the positive outcomes of sensory therapy is that it can reduce fear and enhance trust, further deepening the relationship we have with our residents. We offer living arrangements to help cater to everyone and are thrilled to add this new sensory room to our accommodations!”

Originally from London’s east end, where he survived the Blitz, Dennis served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the second world war as an engineer on hospital ships. He moved to Scotland to take up a post at Dundee’s Technical College and has never stopped keeping active.

A testament to lifelong learning, nowadays Dennis enjoys computing and still takes part in academic courses online. He holds regular music entertainment for his fellow residents where he plays song requests in one of the home’s communal lounges.

Dennis had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon on the new space and was joined by talented piper Lacey Colville, who had accompanied him on the last stretch of his walking challenge in the summer.

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