Volunteer stories

New research looking at music therapy has found that it could improve care and reduce distress for people living with dementia. The research has benefitted patients on dementia wards, including Richard. He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2022. His wife, Suzanne, a Special Needs Consultant from Cambridge, says that the music therapy is “a […]

To mark World Alzheimer’s Month, we have created a new video to encourage people of South Asian heritage to take part in dementia research.  In this video, researchers and members of the public speak about their experiences with dementia and why taking part in research is so important.  Sania For Sania Rehman, Local Services Manager […]

Stephen is a retired social worker who lives in The Wirral, Merseyside. He spoke to us about his experience of participating in an Alzheimer’s research study and why it meant so much to him. Stephen said: “For me, it feels a privilege really to be able to be part of research – and hopefully it’ll […]

To mark Dementia Action Week (19 – 25 May), we hear the inspiring story of Mary Stewart-David, a south London writer, consultant narratologist, and dedicated dementia research participant. With years of participation, Mary continues to champion research that could change the future for people affected by dementia,  including her own family. Mary lives in Dulwich […]

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. […]