Dementia UK is a charitable organisation in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. It aims to support those living with

dementia Dementia is a disorder which manifests as a set of related symptoms, which usually surfaces when the brain is damaged by injury or disease. The symptoms involve progressive impairments in memory, thinking, and behavior, which negatively affe ...

and their families, primarily through their specialists nurses, called Admiral Nurses. As of 2022, they have 376 Admiral Nurses working throughout the UK.

History

A specialist training program was initially set up in 1988, before the first Admiral Nurses were appointed in 1990 at the

Middlesex Hospital Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, England. First opened as the Middlesex Infirmary in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally clos ...

. This eventually resulted in the establishment of the Dementia Relief Trust in 1995, later to be renamed Dementia UK. The project was started by Ninot Levy and Jane Jason, wife and daughter of property developer Joseph Levy CBE BEM, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in the 1980s and was inspired by the specialist support given by Macmillan Nurses to those with cancer. The name Admiral Nurse was derived from Joseph Levy's nickname of ‘Admiral Joe’ due to his love of sailing.

Organisation and governance

Dementia UK is registered in England and Wales as a charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, of which the current chair is Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. The current Chief Executive is Dr Hilda Hayo. Original founder Jane Joseph, now holds position of Honorary President.

Activities

Through its work, Dementia UK aims to provide support to those living with dementia, as well as their families and carers.

Admiral Nurses

The Admiral Nurse program is the charity's primary offering, providing specialist dementia nurses to those that require support. Admiral Nurses work in NHS hospitals, care homes, hospices, GP practices, as well as throughout local communities.

Dementia Helpline

The Dementia Helpline is a freephone telephone number, staffed by Admiral Nurses, designed to offer advice and support to those caring for people with dementia. The phone line is open 7 days a week, including bank holidays, expect for Christmas Day.

Virtual Clinics

Virtual Clinic appointments lasting 45 minutes are also provided Admiral Nurses, intended to help people understand a dementia diagnosis and learn how to provide effective care and support.

Young Dementia Network

The Young Dementia Network was established in 2016, before being absorbed into Dementia UK, following a merger with YoungDementia UK in November 2020. It is intended to provide opportunity for knowledge share, campaigning and collaboration between professionals and those affected by young onset dementia.

Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)

The Lived Experience Advisory Panel is a group of people living with dementia and their carers, who regularly meet in order to feedback into and help form policies and practices of Dementia UK, from their own personal experiences.

Ambassadors

Dementia UK works with various celebrity ambassadors to promote their causes. These include: *

Emma Barton Emma Louise Barton (born 26 July 1977) is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for the role of Honey Mitchell in ''EastEnders'' which she has portrayed on and off since November 2005. Before her role in ''EastEnders'', Barton appeare ...

* Jim Broadbent *

Judy Parfitt Judy Catherine Claire Parfitt (born 7 November 1935) is an English theatre, film and television actress. She made her film debut in a minor supporting part in '' Information Received'' (1961), followed by supporting role in the BBC television ...

Lorelei King Lorelei King is an American actress, screenwriter and development executive who has been based in the United Kingdom since 1981. She has narrated audiobooks, acted in radio plays for BBC Radio 4 and appeared on television. Early life King spe ...

Naughty Boy Shahid Khan ( ur, شاهد خان; born 1 January 1981), better known by his stage name Naughty Boy, is a British DJ, record producer, songwriter and musician. In 2012, Khan signed a three–year publishing deal with Sony ATV, as well as a rec ...

Phyllis Logan Phyllis Logan (born 11 January 1956) is a Scottish actress, known for playing Lady Jane Felsham in ''Lovejoy'' (1986–1993) and Mrs Hughes (later Carson) in ''Downton Abbey'' (2010–2015). She won the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer f ...

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Charities based in the United Kingdom Advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 1995