Barnsley Hospice
Osborne Technologies' Aurora immersive room for dementia and palliative care
Delivering Dignity, Comfort and Compassion
About Barnsley Hospice
Barnsley Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care to local people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as supporting those close to them. The hospice’s team works with compassion and dedication to ensure high-quality care for every individual. As Ward Manager, Melanie Butcher oversees day-to-day operations, focusing on excellent patient care and effective team coordination.
Bridging Gaps in Patient Experience
The Opportunity
The idea for an immersive space first emerged during Dementia Week, where staff encountered Osborne Technologies through its touring sensory van. Conversations with the team helped the hospice identify a meaningful gap in patient care, especially for those who are bedbound or dealing with cognitive conditions such as dementia. The hospice envisioned a space where patients could experience one last cherished moment, whether it was a relaxing holiday memory, a favourite garden, or simply a calming escape from the clinical environment.
The Space Before
Seamless Collaboration and Installation
The Process
Having maintained a long-standing relationship with Osborne Technologies, and with both organisations being based in Barnsley, the partnership felt natural. Once the concept was clear and the room measured, the Aurora team swiftly delivered a one-wall immersive solution.
The process from consultation to installation was seamless. Despite the presence of large equipment, such as a hoist, the immersive system was integrated subtly into the hospice surroundings. Staff also received immediate and effective training, enabling them to begin using the room confidently and intuitively straight away.
The Concept
One-Wall Projection
One-Wall Projection
The 90-degree projection system delivers a focused and impactful visual experience on a single surface. Perfect for presentations, targeted displays, or immersive content in smaller spaces, it offers a simple yet effective solution for storytelling, learning, and interactive engagement.
One Projector
One Projector
Large format stitched projection enables users to be fully immersed into real world and virtual environments. Using Ultra HD projection hardware across multiple surfaces, including walls and floors, we create an experiential learning space, which engages and inspires learners of all abilities.
Audio System
Audio System
An audio system offering high-fidelity soundscapes that amplify the immersive experience. Designed to deliver crystal-clear audio, it enhances engagement through ambient sounds, music, and directional audio cues, creating a fully enveloping atmosphere.
Control Unit
Control Unit
The control unit hardware is a compact, discreet hub at the heart of the immersive system, managing communication between all connected devices. Built for reliability and performance, it ensures seamless operation of projection, lighting, and audio elements, keeping every aspect of the sensory experience perfectly synchronised.
Dynamic Lighting
Dynamic Lighting
A dynamic lighting solution that transforms the user experience by extending video content beyond the screen and into the room. The unique video-to-light software, combined with large-format projection, seamlessly transforms the space, immersing users into the environment.
The Results
The immersive room has become a valued asset within the hospice. It features high-quality projection and audio, creating versatile environments that support both patient and staff well-being. Patients have been virtually transported to cherished places, from swimming with dolphins and rollercoaster rides to peaceful walks through botanical gardens.
In addition to patient care, staff members have used the immersive room for stress relief and personal wellbeing, further demonstrating its flexibility and value.
Importantly, the Aurora team struck a thoughtful balance between innovation and preserving familiar comforts. While the initial vision included a large full-wall projection, the hospice team expressed a strong desire to retain their beloved TV. In response, we adapted the design, honouring that wish and ensuring that the immersive technology sat harmoniously alongside the existing screen
How the Immersive Room is Transforming Care
Fulfilling Final Wishes
Patients have revisited favourite holiday destinations, relived cherished memories, and enjoyed thrilling experiences like virtual rollercoaster rides, all from the comfort of their bed.
Supporting Dementia Care
Tailored scenes, such as tranquil gardens or familiar routines, can ignite memories and reduce confusion and agitation in patients with dementia, encouraging conversation and emotional connection.
Creating Calm Environments
The room offers a quiet, controlled setting that helps alleviate anxiety and overstimulation, ideal for patients who are unsettled or nearing end-of-life.
Staff Wellbeing and Resilience
The immersive room also supports healthcare workers, offering a retreat for stress relief and mental recovery during challenging shifts.
Pain Management and Therapeutic Rehabilitation
Immersive environments can gently distract patients during treatment or therapy sessions, reducing pain perception and anxiety.
Connecting with Long-Distance Family Members
The room can facilitate virtual family visits or shared experiences, helping patients feel close to loved ones who cannot be there in person.
- Rebecca Lambert, Head of Clinical Services and Quality MatronThis upgrade will absolutely enhance the experience of our patients and those close to them. At Barnsley Hospice, we are all about person-centred care, and this will go such a long way in helping us to deliver this.
- Melanie Butcher, Ward ManagerWe would absolutely recommend Aurora to those in the healthcare industry. There will be many care providers who haven’t even considered sensory or immersive technology, and they really should.
- Simon Atkinson, Corporate Partnership ManagerIt has really touched me as to how amazing Room 5 now is and the impact it will have for the hundreds upon hundreds of patients and their loved ones.
- Melanie Butcher, Ward ManagerWe had a lady who wanted to visit her favourite holiday destinations of Tenerife and Turkey. So, we sat her in the chair and took her there. She also enjoyed a rollercoaster ride at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
- Melanie Butcher, Ward ManagerA gentleman with Alzheimer’s came in quite confused and unsettled due to being in and out of hospital... The calming scenes from flowers really grounded him as gardening is something he loved doing at home.
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