Dementia Support appoints University of Chichester to evaluate their dementia services so that they can help shape services across the UK

The Charity believes that the evaluation will evidence its real impact so that better dementia services become available for more people nationally.

Sally Tabbner, CEO said: “We hear time after time from the people who we support that Sage House makes such a difference to their lives and that of their family. It has always been the ambition of Dementia Support to use Sage House as a template in other communities across the country so that as many people as possible benefit from the amazing support that is on offer.

“The appointment of University of Chichester, marks an important milestone in our ambitions to work with other communities to grow and support people living with dementia, their families, and carers, as there is still so much more that is needed and to do.”

Established in 2014, Dementia Support is a charity that has been operational since opening the doors of Sage House in 2018.

Dementia Support was the vision of several people who had experienced dementia within their families and understood the dearth of understanding and support available.

They felt passionately that those affected deserved better.

Sage House in Tangmere provides wrap around support for all people living with dementia in partnership with statutory, community and voluntary partners.

The academic evaluation will compare the impact on the quality of life for customers, family members and carers; review the difference in outcomes in relation to the five ways to wellbeing: Connection, Being Active, Taking Notice, Learning and Giving – compared to those without access to this service.

It will evaluate the customer and carer satisfaction levels of services and examine the social impact upon the local and wider community.

A key part of the evaluation will be to examine and demonstrate the financial benefit to the NHS and social care economy of the services.

Psychologist Dr Rachel King, who leads the University team, said: “Dementia is now the leading cause of death in the UK – and, if we follow World Alzheimer’s new recommendations, healthcare needs to shift to post-diagnostic support services based in primary and community-led care.

“This model by Dementia Support is unique because it offers accessible and comprehensive care in one integrated hub – from assessment to social activities and personal support.

"Our review will identify whether it is effective for meeting patients’ needs and also if it can be rolled out among communities across the country.”

Sally Tabbner went on to say: “In the UK there are around 900,000 people with dementia, with numbers set to rise to over one million in the next couple of years.

"In the next 25 years this will soar to two million. Having designed and developed our unique community hub, we want to share our learning and journey with other communities and give everyone the opportunity to make sure their local area has access to the support that people living with dementia need”.

The evaluation will complete an interim report in the spring of 2023, and a final report at the close of 2023.

For more information about our National Ambitions Programme visit: https://www.dementiasupport.org.uk/NAP