How the V&A is Transforming Accessibility for Dementia-Friendly Museum Experiences

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is setting an inspiring precedent for how museums can support people living with dementia.

In a recent conference presentation for the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit, Abigail Perry, Polly Harknett and Holly Power—representing the learning, interpretation, and audience insights teams—shared the museum’s efforts to deliver meaningful dementia-friendly programming and redesign gallery spaces to be more accessible.

This initiative highlights the transformative role museums can play in fostering wellbeing and inclusivity.

Addressing an Urgent Need

In the UK, nearly one million people live with dementia—a number projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Dementia, an umbrella term for conditions that impair memory, problem-solving, and behavior, affects not only those diagnosed but also their carers and communities. While treatments primarily focus on helping people live well, museums are uniquely positioned to support wellbeing by offering sensory-rich, engaging environments.

Recognising this, the V&A has taken significant steps to create programming and spaces that address the needs of this growing audience, all while fostering a sense of connection and joy.

Dementia-Friendly Programming at the V&A

The V&A’s dementia-friendly programming has been evolving for several years, providing both structured and flexible offerings. Holly Power, the Senior Producer for Audience Outreach, outlined two cornerstone initiatives:

1. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): CST is a non-medical intervention designed for people living with mild to moderate dementia. Originally developed by University College London (UCL), the V&A adapted this 14-week program for a museum setting. Each week explores themes such as childhood, orientation, and physical games, integrating object handling, gallery visits, and creative activities.Delivered in partnership with the NHS Memory Service and local arts charity Resonate Arts, CST offers participants—many of whom may not have visited the museum before—an opportunity to connect with others and engage with the museum’s collections. The program’s feedback reveals the significant impact of social interaction and exploration on participant wellbeing.
2. Closer Look Tours: Running since 2019, these monthly tours provide a dementia-friendly way to engage with the museum’s galleries. Led by specially trained volunteer guides, these intimate sessions focus on two or three objects in a single gallery, complemented by tactile materials, scents, and tea. Many attendees have longstanding personal connections to the museum, making these experiences particularly resonant.

Through these programmes, the V&A has demonstrated how museums can provide not only cognitive stimulation but also moments of joy, relaxation, and connection for people living with dementia.

Redesigning Galleries with Accessibility in Mind

As Polly Harknett from the interpretation team explained, the V&A is now expanding its focus by integrating dementia-friendly design into its physical spaces. The museum is currently undertaking a major redevelopment of the Gilbert Collection—a renowned decorative arts collection on long-term loan to the V&A—to ensure the galleries offer an inclusive and engaging experience for all visitors.

Multisensory Engagement: To achieve this, the museum consulted directly with people living with dementia and their carers. Abigail Perry, representing the audience insights team, emphasised the importance of listening to these audiences to understand their needs. Feedback from three in-person workshops—facilitated by a professional experienced in working with people with dementia—underscored the value of sensory experiences. Participants responded positively to tactile materials, such as handling small stones, and scents, like the aroma of nutmeg, which evoked powerful reminiscence and cognitive engagement.

One example is the museum’s plan to create a multisensory display around a nutmeg grater from the Gilbert Collection. This intricate object—made from a cowrie shell and silver—was used to grate nutmeg, a once highly prized spice. The new display will feature a touchable shell and a scent station where visitors can experience the aroma of nutmeg. This marks the first time the V&A will include a permanent scent feature in one of its galleries.

Telling Stories Thoughtfully: The redesign also includes a focus on storytelling. One gallery will feature Rosalind Gilbert’s fashion design career through a facsimile scrapbook from the Gilbert Archives. During consultation, participants expressed enthusiasm for these materials but also highlighted sensitivities around referencing Rosalind’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In response, the museum decided to celebrate her creative achievements without explicitly linking her diagnosis to the gallery’s multisensory elements. This approach aims to create a shared experience where visitors can focus on the joy and creativity of the collection without the lens of medicalisation.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

The V&A’s consultation process yielded valuable insights for museums seeking to create dementia-friendly experiences. Key takeaways include:

• Collaborating with Experts: Working with a professional facilitator ensured that the consultation sessions were accessible and comfortable for participants. This collaboration also allowed the museum to adapt its approach to meet the unique needs of this audience.
• Prioritizing Flexibility: The team recognized the importance of being adaptive, even if it meant adjusting research objectives. This flexibility enabled them to focus on creating meaningful experiences for participants rather than strictly adhering to predetermined plans.
• Emphasising Multisensory Experiences: Sensory elements, such as touch and scent, had a profound impact on participants, underscoring their value in museum settings. These experiences not only engage people living with dementia but also enhance accessibility for a broader audience.
• Supporting Carers: Carers play a vital role in facilitating museum visits, often using conversation prompts and activities to engage those they care for. Providing resources and prompts can empower carers to create richer experiences during independent visits.

Broadening Impact Beyond Dementia-Specific Audiences

One of the most significant outcomes of the V&A’s work is its potential to benefit a wider range of visitors. While the consultation focused on people living with dementia, the insights gained—particularly around multisensory engagement—can enhance the museum experience for everyone. By making galleries more accessible and interactive, the V&A is creating opportunities for shared experiences that transcend individual conditions or abilities.

Looking Ahead

The redesigned Gilbert Collection galleries are set to reopen in 2026, offering visitors a chance to experience these innovations firsthand. This project represents an exciting step not only for the V&A but also for the broader museum sector. By prioritising inclusivity and sensory engagement, the museum is paving the way for a more accessible and connected future.

As the panel concluded their presentation, they emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. By learning from each other’s experiences, museums can continue to evolve as spaces of discovery, connection, and wellbeing for all visitors.

Conclusion

The V&A’s dementia-friendly programming and gallery redesign demonstrate how museums can play a vital role in supporting wellbeing and accessibility. From tailored cognitive stimulation programs to innovative multisensory displays, these initiatives highlight the transformative potential of museums to create meaningful experiences for people living with dementia and beyond.

As the sector moves forward, the V&A’s work serves as a model for how institutions can thoughtfully address the needs of diverse audiences, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed, engaged, and inspired.

–

Abigail Perry, Polly Harknett and Holly Power from V&A spoke at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit 2025.