On 20 January 2025, the EMPOWER Dementia Network+ joined forces with Croydon Dementia Café, Councillor Dr Manju Shahul-Hameed, and the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation for Mental Health to host a powerful co-creation workshop focused on building excellent and inclusive dementia care.
The event brought together 27 attendees, including people living with dementia, their family members, carers, and community members—all united by a shared commitment to shaping better dementia support across Croydon and beyond.
Why Dementia Care Matters
We began the session by inviting participants to reflect on why they attend the Croydon Dementia Café and what dementia means in their lives.
Many shared that the café:
- Keeps their minds and bodies active
- Helps reduce isolation
- Creates a safe space for sharing experiences
- Supports learning around prevention, wellbeing, and caring for loved ones
This reaffirmed how essential community spaces are in fostering connection, understanding, and early support.
Co-Creating the Vision for Excellent Dementia Care
Using a Vision Tree as a creative and reflective tool, attendees explored what excellent and inclusive dementia care should look like.
Key themes included:
Compassionate, Person-Centred Care
Care grounded in kindness, patience, and understanding, supported by meaningful activities that engage individuals and honour their identities.
Collaboration & Integrated Support
Better coordination between organisations, professionals, and families—ideally through “one-stop-shop” style services that make navigating care easier.
Recognising & Supporting Carers
Accessible respite, emotional support, and acknowledgement of carers’ vital expertise and contributions.
Education & Awareness
Training for healthcare professionals to listen deeply, see the person behind the diagnosis, and understand evolving needs throughout the dementia journey.
Commitment Across Sectors
Increased support from public and private sectors to improve access to services, share resources widely, and challenge the stigma surrounding dementia.
Shaping the National EMPOWER Vision
The ideas shared in Croydon contribute directly to the growing EMPOWER Dementia Network+ Vision.
Similar workshops are happening across the UK, and all insights will be brought together and analysed to co-create a shared national vision for dementia care.
This collective work will be showcased at an upcoming Policy Lab, bringing together health and social care professionals, researchers, charities, and policymakers to agree on priorities that reflect the real experiences of people living with dementia and their carers.
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and contributed with openness, creativity, and compassion. Your voices and experiences are shaping a future where dementia care is more inclusive, supportive, and empowering for all.
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