About Us
Who are we?
* We are healthcare professionals and volunteers offering our own evenings and weekends.
* We are people who received a diagnosis of dementia before the age of 67.
* We are siblings, spouses, children and friends of someone with Young Onset Dementia.
* We are people who support this network in a large variety of ways, from finance to presence.
Contact us to be part of who we are:
Our History
Inspired by Young People With Dementia in Berkshire, in 2016 the Oxford Academic Health and Sciences Network funded staff from Milton Keynes' Specialist Memory Service to train in setting up support services for those affected by Young Onset Dementia. This led to the offer of a 12 week walking group 'Step Forward' attended by over 5 people living with Dementia.
On reviewing Step Forward everyone wanted to continue, despite at that time the Memory Service could not obtain commissioning to do so. Further funding from the Academic Health and Sciences Network was obtained and the development of a Community Group began.
Founding member David Bassett argued strongly for widening the activity range to invite others who may not like walking...our membership quickly grew to over 20 families.
We have met more and less frequently over the years, but our principles remain the same; the whole family is offered support; there is no pressure or end point - members dip in and out as suits them; we specifically connect people affected by a diagnosis made before age 67; we specifically use knowledge about Young Onset Dementias; and we believe in hope, opportunity to share skills, and fun for all. We are:
