Dementia sufferers at the Memory Lane centre at The Wingfield care home in Trowbridge are triggering important memories while using new life skills kitchens, unveiled by MP Andrew Murrison this week.

Two kitchens on the ground and first floors were unveiled in a ceremony on March 25 and since then residents who suffer from memory loss have been using them.

The rooms were just used for eating meals, but have now been fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment so staff can serve meals and residents can, with the help of carers, bake cakes and do jobs which are usually taken for granted, such as helping wash up.

Sharon Adams, general manager at The Wingfield, said: “It’s interesting how memories come back to people.

“It’s massive for residents, it’s something we are constantly doing in the building to promote independence and choice but also to go back to a more normal way of life.

She said the activities draw on memories from peoples pasts and also help the residents take part in different tasks. often doing simple tasks can bring back memories for them. Elizabeth Thomas, who has been at the home for six years, said: “The kitchen is wonderful, it reminds me of home. We have been baking.”

She had been making some fairy cakes, helped by Gordon Markwell, who had already used the kitchen to make scones.

The Barchester home has a variety of rooms throughout the building to help trigger residents’ memories and exercise their minds.

Mrs Adams said: “We have added and improved many features of the home including an internal garden and sensory haven. The addition of these life-skills kitchens is fantastic and it’s great to see the ladies and gentlemen busy in the kitchen, just as they would have been at home.”

When Dr Murrison attended the home on March 25 he got involved and got his hands dirty as he helped one lady mix her cake ingredients.

Following his tour he said: “It was a great pleasure to visit and to see the new developments that have been introduced.”