Other events
Talking About Dementia: Actions, Assumptions, and Advocacy
- Venue: The Lindisfarne Centre, St Aidan’s College, Durham University, Windmill Hill, Durham, DH1 3LJ
- Start: Fri, 18 Jul 2025 13:00:00 BST
- End: Fri, 18 Jul 2025 15:30:00 BST
When a person is faced with a diagnosis of dementia, the experiences of everyone involved are profoundly influenced by the timing and content of conversations between families affected by dementia and their health and social care professionals.
Families have a better chance of getting the support they need when sensitive conversations occur at the right time and in the right way. On the other hand, if conversations are avoided or handled badly, a difficult situation can be made even worse for families and professionals alike.
This aspect of dementia care has been identified as the number one priority for more research. The Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing invites you to a workshop to explore the topic.
When? Friday, 18th of July, 1pm-3.30pm – starting with a buffet lunch.
Where? The Lindisfarne Centre, St Aidan’s College, Durham University, Windmill Hill, Durham, DH1 3LJ. Click here for information about access by car, bus, and train, and for information about the building's facilities. Parking is allowed for visitors who register on arrival.
Who should attend? People with a dementia diagnosis and those who care for (or have cared for) someone diagnosed with it, whether in a personal or professional capacity. Additionally, we welcome people with a special interest in the topic from an academic, service delivery, or policy-making perspective.
What are the aims? To establish connections between attendees, to share and reflect on experiences, and to reflect on what is shared. By listening to people’s experiences and thoughts, we aim to create a map of what matters most when conducting sensitive conversations about dementia care, from diagnosis to bereavement and beyond.
How do I take part? If you would like to come, please contact Wolfson manager Suzi Boyd (suzanne.boyd@durham.ac.uk) – ideally before Friday, July 4 – and give details of any dietary or access requirements you might have. Let us know if you need help with transport – we have a small fund which can help.
Who we are: The Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing at Durham University, established in 2001, fosters research relating to health and wellbeing from the individual to global scale. We take an interdisciplinary approach - that means we come together from different disciplines (for example, biosciences, law, computer science, education, history, and sociology) to investigate a particular issue, resulting in a more rounded understanding.
The team delivering the workshop, all members of the Wolfson Early Career Researchers Network, are academics with experience in the care and support of people with degenerative, life-limiting conditions and/or families who have lost loved ones. There will be a quiet space and support available for anyone who wants to take time out from the conversation.
Please get in touch with Dr Andrea Lambell (andrea.r.lambell@durham.ac.uk) or Dr Johanna Thren (johanna.r.thren@durham.ac.uk) if you’d like more information.
