Residents complete programme of cognitive stimulation therapy

Residents at a Cinnamon Care Collection home have completed a full programme of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) using digital platform Ayla.

The Emerson Grange team in Hextable, Kent, completed a 14-session CST programme between July and September using the CST platform, which is registered as a Class I medical device in the UK. Ayla enables care home teams to deliver structured CST sessions and track residents’ outcomes.

CST is an evidence-based group therapy for people living with mild to moderate dementia, recommended by NICE and the World Health Organization. Sessions use themed activities, pictures, music and discussion to stimulate thinking, memory and social connection. Despite NICE recommending CST, the 2025 National Audit of Dementia found 23% of NHS memory services offer no CST at all.

‘It’s been wonderful to see residents come together, enjoy themselves and share memories through these sessions. What has stood out most is how much people value the opportunity to spend time together, talk and take part in something as a group. The feedback from residents and our team has been incredibly encouraging and we’re delighted to be able to continue offering sessions that support both cognitive stimulation and meaningful social connection,’ said Damilola Baiyewu, registered manager at Emerson Grange.

Sessions were led by a rotating team of four staff from the home, who set the programme up after a training day delivered by Ayla.

Devika Wood, chief executive and co-founder of Ayla, said: ‘NICE recommends CST for people living with dementia, yet many still can’t get it. Emerson Grange shows care homes can deliver it brilliantly, with their own teams. When residents ask for a therapy to continue, that tells you it’s working.’