Encouraging togetherness and learning in dementia care
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.
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.
This September, as we mark World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we invite everyone to come together and open up conversations about dementia. At Dementia Pathfinders, we see this month as an opportunity to reflect on what more we can do to make our communities kinder, more informed, and more supportive of people living with dementia.
Awareness is the first step in changing perceptions, but it is an ongoing journey. We encourage everyone to start conversations about dementia, listen to the voices of those with lived experiences, and challenge the misconceptions that still exist. By listening and learning, we can help break down the barriers that contribute to stigma and isolation.
It’s also a time to commend the strength and resilience of people affected by dementia and to learn from their stories.
Let's use this month as a call to action, to open our hearts, minds, and communities to the reality of dementia, and work towards a kinder, more dementia-friendly world. Together we can continue the process of challenging stigma, shifting perceptions and expanding our understanding of dementia.
July 2024
Dementia Pathfinders was part of the second annual Havant Borough Dementia Information Day. Local residents were invited to attend the event – helping those living with dementia and their carers, families, and friends seek support and advice from local charities and organisations. The event consisted of a marketplace of 20+ stalls and information stands, which provided dementia-related support.
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May 2024
Would you like to train to be a trainer?
We are adding to our Dementia Pathfinders team of Circle Dance Trainers and can offer training or a refresher course to persons with experience in Circle Dance. If you think this could be you and you would like to join our team of Associates, please contact us by email info@dementiapathfinders.org
Mar 2024
Embrace the Season with Heartfelt
Spring Gift Ideas
Spring has finally sprung, and alongside the blossoming trees and warming weather, this means that Easter is fast approaching! So we wanted to wish our community a very happy Easter weekend! This festive occasion serves as a reminder to cherish the bonds we share with our loved ones amidst the challenges of dementia. We hope that you can find some time over the festive weekend to get together with loved ones and embrace the (hopefully) sunny springtime weather!
For those looking to add a touch of nature inspired charm to their homes this Spring, our seasonal decoration is the perfect choice.
Handcrafted with care by Big Mama Moon Beams, this ornament captures spring's essence and is a beautiful addition to any home decor.
Feb 2024
Life Story Workshop Reflections
Victoria Smith, Dementia Pathfinders, reflects on her own experience
of using our Life Story Book
Thinking about how to start a Life Story Book for a loved one can feel overwhelming. The Life Story Book that we use in our Life Story workshops provides a helpful structure to organise the precious information we want to record, but even so, I felt confused when I started to put my husband's life story together. We can be tempted to follow the order of our lives and record the recognised milestones, but what if some of those “milestones” are more, or less, significant in someone's life? How do you create something that reflects the person not just a load of dates? The workshop makes the experience person centered because it gives you the tools and understanding of how to tailor it to suit the person rather than filling in a book about someones life. Read more....
Nov 2023
Free online Art Classes with Nicola Corrigan
Six week online programme running from 21st February 2024
This online art class includes sessions on painting and drawing favourite and memorable objects, flowers and nature. We use photo prompts and share resources for inspiration.
People living with dementia and carers learn to use pencil and watercolour techniques to paint a favourite flower or a bunch of flowers. Learners also work with mixed media, creating collages of memorable and special places and share these on screen.
Nicola is an artist, who produces original paintings and designs for interiors. Styles range from contemporary and simplistic to more complex artworks.
Oct 2023
Sept 2023
Our partners, The Journal of Dementia Care are pleased to announce that the 17th UK Dementia Congress will be held at Aston University on 7th - 8th November 2023.
From 2006 onwards the UK Dementia Congress has been the largest annual multi-disciplinary dementia care focused event and exhibition in the UK, and we are very excited to be planning an in-person event again.
All proposals are in and the full programme will be available in September.
August 2023
July 2023
This month we enjoyed a wonderful day at the 13th National Dementia Care Awards. We are proud to have been selected as a finalist for the award for 'Best Inclusive Dementia Care in our Diverse Society', for our resource, Asian Colouring Book.
Jatinder is a mature artist who recently attained a BA(Hons) and an MA in illustration. Jatinder has fond memories of his short time in India and Africa before migrating to England.
His knowledge of Asian culture has helped shape the project.
May 2023
During Dementia Action Week some of the Dementia Pathfinders team attended the Kent Dementia Showcase at Detling Showground, organised by Dementia Action Alliance. A free informal event for people living with and caring for those with dementia, providing an opportunity to meet local professionals and find support services available.
March 2023
A new Meeting Centre has opened in Tipton, West Midlands, run by one of our partner organisations Agewell and as part of the Thinking Differently about Dementia funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Read more about Meeting Centres here.
October 2022
As a proud partner of The Journal of Dementia Care, we offer our huge congratulations to all the winners at the 12th National Dementia Care Awards
September 2022
'Congratulations to Level 3 learner, Claire Williams'
Claire successfully completed the Level 3 OCNLR Award in 'Awareness of Dementia' earlier this year. Claire works for Agewell as part of a team delivering the project 'Thinking Differently About Dementia'. As a Dementia Wellbeing Adviser, Claire is involved with the new 'Meeting Centre' for Sandwell and providing virtual activities for people living with dementia and their carers.
"The course was very good, very in-depth and informative. Overall I enjoyed the course and I learnt a lot."
~ Claire Williams ~