A BARNSLEY care home has been recognised for its pioneering dementia-friendly environment.

Springfield Vale, on Perseverance Street near the town centre, was awarded a prestigious Gold Design Award from the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling.

The accreditation marks a significant milestone for Springfield Vale, which is part of leading complex care provider Exemplar Health Care.

The home was created so that people in the local community who are living with dementia, memory loss and complex care needs can live as independently, confidently and comfortably as possible in a dedicated a community-based home close to family and loved ones.

Practical features include strong colour contrasts, clear visual cues, vision panels that help people identify rooms before entering, and circadian lighting that reflects natural changes in daylight.

Charlotte Lloyd, commissioning and operations developments director at Exemplar Health Care, said: “From the very beginning our ambition was to create a home where the environment works alongside the expertise of our care teams to help people live well.

“Good dementia design isn’t about one stand-out feature, it’s about bringing together hundreds of thoughtful details that help people navigate their surroundings, maintain independence, reduce distress and feel truly at home.

“This accreditation recognises the care, thought and collaboration that went into making that vision a reality.”