Dementia-Friendly Venues and Activities in Mansfield and Nottinghamshire

Mansfield and the wider Nottinghamshire area have a genuinely good range of dementia-friendly activities, including quiet swimming sessions at Water Meadows, dementia-friendly film screenings at Mansfield Central Library, Singing for the Brain groups run by the Alzheimer’s Society, and local peer support groups in Mansfield and Kirkby-in-Ashfield. 

Will it be too loud? Too crowded? Will staff understand if things don’t go to plan? The venues and groups below have taken active steps to be dementia-friendly, whether that’s staff training, quieter session times, or activities specifically designed around dementia support.

Quiet and Dementia-Friendly Swimming

Water Meadows Leisure Complex Titchfield Park, Bath Street, Mansfield, NG18 1BA

Water Meadows runs Quieter Hours every Wednesday, 11am–1pm, designed to support visitors with sensory needs by keeping the centre as calm as possible. This isn’t a dementia-specific session, but it’s a genuinely useful window for anyone who finds a busy leisure centre overwhelming.

Separately, More Leisure Community Trust runs a dedicated Disability and Dementia Swim on Mondays and Thursdays at 12pm at Water Meadows, giving a specific, structured session aimed at this group.

If you’re planning a first visit, it’s worth calling ahead to confirm timings, since leisure centre schedules can shift around school holidays and staffing.

Dementia-Friendly Film Screenings

Mansfield Central Library West Gate, Mansfield, NG18 1NH

Mansfield Central Library runs Dementia Friendly Film Screenings, shown in a relaxed auditorium setting for £1 per ticket, with a cuppa and biscuit at the interval. It’s a low-pressure, low-cost outing, and the relaxed format means there’s no pressure to stay quiet or stay for the whole film if it’s not working out.

The library also runs a weekly Places of Welcome session every Wednesday, 10:30am–12pm, offering a free cuppa, a biscuit, and a chat in a volunteer-run, low-key setting. While not dementia-specific, it’s a genuinely gentle social option worth knowing about.

Singing for the Brain

St Peter’s Centre, Church Side, Mansfield, NG18 1AP

The Alzheimer’s Society runs a Singing for the Brain group on the third Tuesday of each month, 10:30am–12pm. Sessions include vocal warm-ups and a mix of familiar and new songs, with refreshments provided and time to talk with others affected by dementia. The venue has on-site and disabled parking and disabled access.

Booking is essential. Contact the Singing for the Brain team via the Alzheimer’s Society on 0115 934 3811.

Singing and music-based activities are widely used in dementia care because they can reach people even when conversation has become difficult. Several of our own residents at Newgate Lodge respond to familiar songs in ways that surprise their families.

Peer Support Groups

Kirkby-in-Ashfield Dementia Support Group Community Centrepoint, Trinity, Diamond Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, NG17 7GN

Meets on the third Monday of the month, 1:30pm–3:30pm. The group offers support, friendship, and information, with discussions, guest speakers, and activities. There’s a 50p charge for refreshments. The venue has ramped access, ground-floor meetings, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet.

Lammas Leisure Centre Peer Support Group

A peer support group for people living with dementia and their carers meets every Tuesday, 1:30pm–3pm, with tea, coffee, and indoor bowls available, free of charge.

These smaller, regular groups are often where families find the most genuine, ongoing support, since you tend to see the same faces each time and build real relationships rather than one-off outings.

Dementia Action Alliance and Local Awareness

Mansfield and Ashfield have an active Dementia Action Alliance, and Mansfield District Leisure Trust (which operates Water Meadows, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, River Maun Recreation Centre, and the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre) has trained a significant number of staff as Dementia Friends across its sites. Pleasley Surgery has also been recognised as a Dementia Friendly Practice and is involved in wider efforts to help Mansfield and Ashfield become a Dementia Friendly Community.

If you’d like to raise awareness yourself, or help train staff at a local business or community group, Dementia Friends information sessions are free and open to anyone. You can register as a Dementia Friend online at dementiafriends.org.uk.

Mansfield Museum

Leeming Street, Mansfield, NG18 1NG

Mansfield Museum has previously run a Reminiscence Tea Room and piloted a Memory Café, using themed reminiscence boxes to spark conversation and connection for people living with dementia and their carers. At the time of writing, these sessions have been paused, with the museum stating an intention to restart them.

We’d recommend contacting the museum directly on 01623 463088, or emailing mansfieldmuseum@mansfield.gov.uk, to check current availability before planning a visit around this specifically. The museum itself remains free to visit, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–3pm, and its calm, low-key galleries can still make for a manageable outing even outside a dedicated session.

Tips for Visiting Any of These Venues

• Call ahead, even for sessions listed as regular fixtures. Times and staffing can change, and a quick call avoids a wasted trip.
• Visit at quieter times where possible. Mid-morning, outside school holidays, tends to be calmer at most venues.
• Bring a small bag of essentials: any medication, a favourite object for reassurance, and details of who to contact in case you need help.
• Don’t feel you need to stay for the whole session. Dementia-friendly doesn’t mean pressure-free to leave early if it’s not working out that day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there dementia-friendly swimming in Mansfield? Yes. Water Meadows offers general Quieter Hours every Wednesday, 11am–1pm, and More Leisure Community Trust runs a specific Disability and Dementia Swim on Mondays and Thursdays at 12pm.

Are there dementia-friendly film screenings near Mansfield? Yes. Mansfield Central Library holds Dementia Friendly Film Screenings for £1 per ticket in a relaxed auditorium setting.

Is there a Singing for the Brain group in Mansfield? Yes, run by the Alzheimer’s Society at St Peter’s Centre on the third Tuesday of each month. Booking is required.

Does Mansfield Museum currently run dementia sessions? The museum has run Reminiscence Tea Room and Memory Café sessions in the past and has said it intends to restart them. We’d recommend checking directly with the museum for current availability.

How Lidder Care Can Help

At Lidder Care, staying connected to the local community is part of good dementia care, not an afterthought. Our dementia care at Newgate Lodge Care Home is built around understanding each resident’s history and what genuinely brings them comfort, whether that’s a familiar song, a local landmark, or a regular outing.

If you’re caring for someone with dementia at home and want to talk through options, from staying at home with support to residential dementia care, we’re happy to have an honest conversation.

Contact us: Phone: 01623 622 322 Visit our contact page

This guide reflects information correct at the time of writing. Sessions, times, and organisers can change, so we’d always recommend confirming directly with the venue before visiting.