A donation from housebuilder Harron Homes has enabled King’s Mill Hospital to buy dementia dolls as part of its ongoing care improvements.

The Sutton hospital said the dolls can give people with dementia a renewed sense of purpose and help them connect with the world, which can have a positive effect on their energy, activity levels, and mood.

Harron Homes chose to help King’s Mill in honour of Neil Smith, contracts manager for Harron Homes North Midlands, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in 2019 and was treated at the Welcome Treatment Centre at the hospital.

Joy Wilson, community involvement coordinator at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, said: “Funds donated by the community enable us to enhance and improve patient care/facilities.

“A dementia-friendly environment can make a huge difference to our patients and their families.”

Natalie Griffiths, sales and marketing director for Harron Homes North Midlands, added: “We’re delighted to provide ongoing support to such a valuable aspect of the community local to our Brierley Heath development in Stanton Hill.

“Dementia can be an incredibly cruel disease and we’re grateful these dolls can help some of the patients at King’s Mill.”