Encouraging togetherness and learning in dementia care
OUR NEWS
In 2022 we launched our regular newsletter, keeping you up to date on events, training and exciting new products. If you would like to receive our future news as its released, please sign up to join our mailing list.
December 2025
Looking back over 2025!
As we near the end of the year, we thought we would take the time to look back and reflect on some of the moments that have helped make 2025 special for Dementia Pathfinders. This year has been packed with creative opportunities, new partnerships and community engagement activities and we thank you all for your continued support.
November 2025
Sandwell Community Dementia Service
Sandwell Community Dementia Service (SCDS), is a collaborative of Murry Hall Community Trust, offering advice, information and support to people worried about their memory and those with a
worried about their memory and those with a dementia diagnosis in Sandwell.
This partnership of voluntary sector organisations work together to provide support all the way along the dementia pathway, as well as, helping to facilitate Dementia Friendly Communities in Sandwell. Read more here
October 2025
Meeting Centres
Helping to support people and families directly affected by dementia
We work in partnership with Dementia Friendly Havant Borough CIO and would like to bring some news of their Meeting Centre initiative. A Meeting Centre is a local resource, operating out of ordinary community buildings, that offers on-going warmand friendly expert support to people and families affected by dementia.
“It’s the day to day activities that they do here. You know, having a cup of tea with people, having their lunch with people. All the normality of being with a group of people, which when you’re isolated on your own, you don’t take part in”
September 2025
17th - 18th November 2025
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS
Dementia Community look forward to welcoming everyone to the largest annual multi-disciplinary dementia-focused event and exhibition in the UK. UKDC has a long history of bringing together everyone involved in dementia care to learn, share and inspire each other with fresh energy and enthusiasm for our work.
August 2025
On July 11th, we were pleased to take part in the third Havant Dementia Information Day, held at the Civic Offices in Havant. The objective of the day is to provide information about services, support and activities for people living with dementia in the local Havant Borough area. The event is managed by Havant Council with support from two of Dementia Pathfinders partnership organisations, Dementia Friendly Hampshire and Dementia Friendly Havant Borough.
There were 21 stallholders representing voluntary and support organisations, including Dementia Pathfinders. There was a programme of activities including Circle Dance provided by Dementia Pathfinders and another of our partners, Recapture Life. The session was well attended, and everyone enjoyed the music and movement. Read more here
July 2025
The first Creative Dementia Conference, delivered by Dementia Community and Creative Dementia Arts Network (CDAN) and supported by headline sponsor Symphony Sound, has been hailed as inspiring by delegates. This vibrant and interactive event in Bristol’s M Shed began with a keynote by Jayne Howard, National Centre for Creative Health followed by presentations or workshops. The former, that provided invaluable insights and recommendations for delegates, included Helen Jacobs, Royal West of England Academy, describing how she developed RWA Tea Time talks for people living with dementia and family carers.
Workshops, including ‘Participatory Art and Craft’ (Kieun Kwon), ‘Box of Smiles: music and words’ (Ronald Amanze and David Truswell) and ‘Circle Dance’ (Liv McLennan of Dementia Pathfinders) proved immensely popular, enabling delegates to gain skills and experience in creative practices.Read more here
June 2025
Our Ladybird Vintage Range Mugs are inspired by classic themes such as football, cycling, cricket and motorcars. The selection also features well-known Ladybird book classics ‘Helping at Home’ and ‘The Party’. Sharing a cup of tea or coffee together using these vintage-styled mugs can become an opportunity for relaxed conversation and remembering fond moments from the past.
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May 2025
Thinking Differently About Dementia
Dementia Pathfinders partners with Agewell in the West Midlands to deliver an innovative project called 'Thinking Differently About Dementia' (THAD).
Initially funded for three years by the National Lottery for, the project met its key objective by successfully establishing two 'Meeting Centres' in Sandwell. These centres provide post diagnosis support for people living with mild or moderate dementia and their family carers.
As part of the TDAD project, staff also launched and continue to support a weekly group called ‘DEEP Dreamers’. The group is part of a UK-wide network called DEEP (Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project). The popular DEEP Dreamers group offers support and friendship but also gives people a voice in terms of how the group is run and what it does.
Another initiative, the De-Cafe Craft group was created for people living with dementia, carers and ex carers. The café originally provided a welcoming space to explore creative activities and now serves as a group to support anyone that is vulnerable over the age of 50 that lives in sandwell.
As National Lottery funding is coming to an end, Agewell is no longer able to run these vital dementia support groups. To help create new funding, a GoFundMe page has been launched. Every donation—big or small—will make a difference in ensuring that people living with dementia and their families continue to receive the support, friendship, and activities they rely on.
April 2025
Dementia Pathfinders are now on Bluesky!
We are going to pause our X (formerly twitter) account for now and focus on this new platform. We will of course continue posting on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, and we are grateful for our continued base of support online. Bluesky is just an exciting extension of our social media, where we can connect more closely with our community, not just through posting, but through short updates and interactions with the dementia community!
But we are gonna need your help! In order to reach as much of our community as possible, we need your support to help us grow this new platform.
So please follow us at: dpcic.bsky.social Or by visiting: https://bsky.app/profile/dpcic.bsky.socia
February 2025
Dementia Pathfinders receives
National Lottery 'Awards for All' grant
Dementia Pathfinders is pleased to announce that we have received a National Lottery 'Awards for All' grant to expand our Circle Dance for People Living with Dementia. This funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will support the development of circle dance for the dementia community, both in care homes and community settings.
Circle dance offers a unique and valuable dimension to dementia support. It helps build relationships within the dementia community and with family members by improving communication and reducing potential isolation. Circle dance can also forge a sense of identity and belonging, helping people cope with personal, social, and environmental change.
January 2025
This programme of creative activities returns for 2025, with Craig Stevens, who is an activity and engagement specialist with 13 years’ experience.
