Staff training in dementia care faces a persistent challenge: ensuring that learning “sticks” and translates into meaningful engagement with residents. At Bankstown City Aged care in Sydney traditional large-scale training at BCAC, despite significant investment, failed to yield lasting impact due to its lack of adaptation to diverse learning styles and insufficient connection to real-world care experiences. In response, BCAC partnered with Clown Doctors Australia (CDA) to develop a new model: small-group, interactive workshops tailored to individual needs. The content and delivery of the workshops drew on CDA’s long-term experience of bringing joy, connection and validation to people living with dementia via its Laughter Care program. (This program was the subject of a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial, called the SMILE Study. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/1/e002072) In this innovative model four staff members participated in four weekly workshops, each combining technique learning, immediate application with residents, and reflective group discussion. This format enabled deeper understanding and skill retention, as teaching styles were personalized and learning was directly linked to daily care practice. Evaluation of these workshops demonstrated improved engagement between care staff and residents, aligning with new Aged Care standards and enhancing the quality of care for residents. The presentation will detail the collaborative process behind the training, its content and delivery, and the evaluation outcomes, offering insights into effective strategies for transformational learning in dementia care settings.