Volunteer stories

Despite not having dementia himself, David Batchelor from Leicester signed up to Join Dementia Research to help others with the condition. David’s health research journey began in 1962 when he took part in a study to treat his ruptured liver aged just 6 years old.  “Research saved my life” He said: “I was playing in […]

After John Hyde was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia aged just 59, he had to retire from his job as a handyman. He immediately wanted to learn more about his condition and find ways to help others affected, so he signed up to Join Dementia Research. Frontotemporal dementia is a relatively uncommon form of dementia that […]

We would like to pay tribute to our friend Wendy Mitchell who sadly passed away this week. Wendy was known and loved by many for her resilience and for her candid insights into what it is like to live with dementia. She defied the odds by writing three books – including Sunday Times bestsellers – […]

A Sussex woman has spoken about losing her grandfather to dementia and how this inspired her to get involved in research. Rianna Patterson, of Hastings, lost her grandfather, Terry Vidal, to dementia in 2013. Following his death, she has been involved in dementia research. This included working with a National Institute for Health and Care […]

A former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has spoken about how volunteering for studies through Join Dementia Research has given him a sense of purpose after his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.  Peter Middleton from Northamptonshire was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, aged 64.  Diagnosis Peter said: “I had been a Police Community Support […]

Mary Stewart-David, a writer and consultant narratologist from South London, spoke movingly about her mother’s dementia diagnosis and how this inspired her to get involved in research.  Mary said: “I got involved in research as a volunteer because I saw my mother through dementia. I am aware that it might affect me in the future. […]

A husband and wife who received a dementia diagnosis in 2013 made a decision shortly after to take part in research to regain a sense of control. Ten years on and they are still embarking on trials, saying the experience has left them feeling empowered, supported and resilient.  Diagnosis Geoff Fenwick formerly worked as a […]

Research Champion and Sunday Times best-selling author Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with young onset dementia at the age of 58. Wendy, who was an NHS Manager for 20 years until 2015 recalls: “I was coming out of my office one day and I didn’t know who I was or who all the people around me […]