January 1, 1970

Ann Pascoe applied for a Churchill Fellowship when her husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia. As part of her Fellowship, she travelled to India to investigate how a grass roots home care project can reduce caregiver burden, promote caregiver mental health and reduce behavioural problems in dementia patients. Following her return home, she began to put her learning into practice. She established a local social enterprise, Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC), with the aim of recognising and embracing the challenges of a life with dementia for both families and sufferers, enabling them to live life to the full. DFC is now taking significant steps towards raising the profile of dementia, drawing together strong support across the community and making a real, lasting difference to individuals, families and the local community.

More recently, Ann has been invited to join the Prime Minister David Cameron’s task group on rural dementia friendly communities. She is also part of the Scottish Government workshop groups working on the Dementia Strategy, in partnership with NHS Highland and Alzheimer Scotland. Her area has been chosen as one of four test sites for the Scottish Government to figure out why the Strategy is not reaching grass roots.

Read more about how a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship has helped dementia carers, and Ann’s story, here.

Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Trusts also exist in Australia and New Zealand.