Dementia NI

Dementia NI was founded by five people living with a diagnosis of dementia on the 15th January 2015. Uniquely, the organisation is a small member led charity, formed to drive and bring about positive change for people living with dementia. As part of its new strategy, it has ambitious plans to grow and extend its reach and influence.

Dementia is an overall term used to describe a wide range of symptoms associated with the deterioration of functions including memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Symptoms differ from person to person but can affect orientation, perception, understanding, memory, decision making, ability to learn, communication and judgement.

Dementia NI has a strong value led ethos and aims to promote the rights of affected individuals, challenge stigmas, and educate the wider public arena by raising awareness. In this regard, it seeks to consult with those who have dementia to influence policy and practice on their behalf. As part of this, it facilitates empowerment groups to provide a safe and secure environment for people living with dementia to come together with the support of staff and volunteers. It does not act as a service provider for those with dementia, rather it sign-posts those seeking such support to other appropriate organisations.

Their aims are to:

• Challenge the stigma of having a diagnosis by raising awareness about dementia
• Promote the rights of people living with dementia to influence policy, practice and service delivery across Northern Ireland
• Provide training, education and awareness to organisations and the public on how to live well with dementia
• Support people living with dementia to lobby and raise awareness of dementia in their own right.

To raise awareness about dementia we are involved in many different projects, such as dementia-friendly communities, giving talks to different groups, taking part in networking events in local shopping centres, featuring in media campaigns and speaking to the media.