The dementia-friendly areas have been created at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Complex Medical Unit, funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity, which contributed £24,000 towards the improvements.

Designed to support patient wellbeing, the rooms offer a calmer environment and space for therapeutic activities.

Ellie Saxon, cognitive and frailty lead nurse at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), said: “The new Quiet Room makes a huge difference for patients experiencing delirium and other cognitive symptoms of dementia, providing a calm and peaceful space.

“It also gives us an appropriate space for emotional or difficult conversations with patients and their families.”

The refurbished spaces were opened during Dementia Action Week, with patients, families, staff, and charity representatives gathering for a celebratory coffee morning.

The event included information about the therapies and activities now available to patients.

Ms Saxon also praised the recently created Patient Activity Room, which offers a dedicated environment for both cognitive and physical activity sessions.

She said: “The ward’s elderly patient group often have long hospital stays, and this makes keeping them active, both mentally and physically, really important to maintain wellbeing.

“This room gives space for socialising, like having a patient cafe – and activities with other patients help keep them more engaged, and mentally and physically active.

“It’s a huge improvement so we are extremely grateful for the support from Oxford Hospitals Charity and their generous donors for fully funding this project.”

Both rooms are equipped with large touchscreen devices loaded with music, films, games, audiobooks, and historical content to support reminiscence therapy and rehabilitation.

Krystal Harry, programme assistant at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “Today’s event has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the transformation of these two important spaces and recognise the work that has gone into bringing the project to life.

“We know that for some, hospitals aren’t simply a place to get better, but can be home for a long time – and we are delighted to support projects like this that make them feel more homely and comfortable.”

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “It’s great to see the collaboration between our friends at Oxford Hospital Charity and the fantastic team on the Complex Medical Unit working together to make time in hospital therapeutic for our older patients and those living with dementia.

“It’s such important work and the enthusiasm for these improvements was really clear in both the staff team and with patients I met on the day.”

Animal Pneumatology – A Systematic Theological Inquiry into the Spirit’s Work in Non-Human Creatures is written by Daniela Rizzo, a lecturer in systematic theology at Alphacrucis University College in Australia and a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.

The book presents a theological framework where animals are seen as participants in creation, cosmic worship and God’s redemptive work in the world.

Elizabeth A. Johnson, distinguished professor of theology emerita at Fordham University, said: “What a beautiful, enlightening book.

“Laced with biblical, theological, ethical and scientific insights, its exploration into the relationship between the Spirit and animals is positively eye-opening.

“Knowledgeable about today’s debates, Rizzo imbues the discussion with unusual warmth and keenness due to her own participation in the Pentecostal tradition.”

Animal Pneumatology is the publication of Rizzo’s PhD thesis completed at Alphacrucis College.

Her research was recognised with both the President’s Doctoral Research Medal and the Ross Winchester Award for Pentecostal Studies.

Professor Johnson described the book as ‘a genuinely original must-read’, adding: “There is simply nothing else like it.”

Mark Wallace, James Hormel professor of social justice at Swarthmore College in the US, also praised the work.

He said: “In this book Rizzo breaks exciting new ground.

“Here God and Earth, divinity and animality, revelation and carnal existence are one.

“Challenging the conventional Christian dualism between Creator and creation, Rizzo envisions the natural world as enlivened by the Spirit in its solidarity with all the vulnerable and suffering denizens of Mother Earth.”

Animal pneumatology, the book’s central theme, refers to the theological study of the Holy Spirit’s relationship with non-human creatures.

While animal theology has been advanced by thinkers such as Andrew Linzey and David Clough, Rizzo’s work is the first to systematically bring pneumatology into sustained conversation with animal life.

Animal Pneumatology takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on biblical studies, systematic theology, animal studies and contemporary discussions of animal sentience and creaturely life.

Each chapter examines a different theological theme in relation to animals, including creation, predation, redemption, eschatology and creaturely communication.

Rizzo argues for a theology in which the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity extend beyond humanity to include all sentient creation.

The book also aims to challenge anthropocentric assumptions in theology and ethics, engaging ecumenically across Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox and broader Protestant traditions.

Animal Pneumatology is now available through Springer and Amazon.

The book is published in hardback, EPUB and PDF formats.

The funds were raised by West Oxfordshire District Council Chair Councillor Andrew Coles during his term in office and will be shared between Dementia Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue.

A total of £4,402.88 was raised during his charitable campaign, with both organisations set to receive £2,201.44 each.

Councillor Coles said: “It has been a real honour and privilege to serve as Chair over the past year and to meet so many residents, visitors, charities and businesses as part of my duties and engagements.

“I am particularly proud to have drawn attention to the wonderful work of both Dementia Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue and highlight the genuine difference they are making across West Oxfordshire and beyond.”

Throughout the year, Councillor Coles hosted a mix of fundraising activities, including coffee mornings, bake sales, a civic curry dinner and a Christmas carol service at St Batholomew’s Church in Ducklington.

The charities reflect his personal connection to dementia through a family member and his passion for nature and conservation.

Funds will support the ongoing work of Dementia Oxfordshire, which is delivered by Oxfordshire Age UK.

Peter Johnson, Head of Service for Dementia Oxfordshire, said: “We are so grateful for the money raised by Councillor Coles, and really appreciate the enormous effort that has gone into raising such an incredible amount.

“Money from fundraising allows us to organise social groups and activities where carers and people with dementia can meet others in a similar situation, building a vital network and warding off the social isolation and loneliness can so often be the reality for people with a dementia diagnosis and their unpaid carers.

“We also use this additional funding to print paper copies of guides and key publications, which is so important for those who are not able to access information online.”

Luke Waclawek, founder and CEO of Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue, also expressed his appreciation.

He said: “We are all extremely grateful for Councillor Coles’s amazing support this year and for all the help and exposure.

“We were especially delighted to welcome Andrew to our Wildlife Rescue Centre earlier in the civic year so he could see firsthand what we do and meet our team of volunteers.

“As a small charity, our work is funded entirely by the kindness and generosity of donations by our supporters and members of the public.”

Councillor Coles welcomed Kerry Hyatt, one of Dementia Oxfordshire’s locality managers, to WODC’s Woodgreen offices to collect the cheque.