At Sheffield Hospitals Charity, we are passionate about funding ideas that make every day experiences better for patients, families and NHS staff.
That’s why we are proud to fund the “Blue Plate Project” across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Health Partnership; an initiative exploring whether something as simple as changing the colour of plates at mealtimes could support people living with dementia.
The idea is simple. Research has shown that people living with dementia can sometimes struggle to distinguish pale-coloured food on white plates. By introducing bright blue plates, the contrast between food and plate becomes clearer, helping people recognise meals more easily and encouraging better food intake.
What staff saw during the project was immediate, practical and deeply meaningful.
Patients appeared more engaged at mealtimes, staff observed improvements in food intake, and families welcomed a change that helped preserve dignity and independence during everyday routines that can otherwise become challenging.
Henna Khan, Specialist Dietitian in Mental Health & Eating Disorders at Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We’d read the literature around this but seeing it happen with the people we care for made it more real. We could see the immediate difference. Sometimes small changes can really make a big impact, even something as small as the colour of a plate. Thank you to Sheffield Hospitals Charity for making this possible.”
For us, the Blue Plate Project is a powerful reminder that innovation in healthcare does not always need to be expensive or high-tech. Sometimes, the most effective ideas are the small changes that help people feel more confident, comfortable and cared for.
By funding projects like this, we are helping NHS staff test new ideas, improve patient experiences and make everyday moments better for the people who need it most.
Published: Monday 1st of June 2026