07/10/2026
Early action and prevention for people living with dementia and their families and carers was at the heart of this morning’s Live More, Live Well roundtable, co-hosted by Shared Lives Plus and the Rayne Foundation.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across health and social care, the voluntary and community sector, research, and the funding community.
The event explored the challenge of ensuring that people living with dementia, and their families and carers, have access to timely, preventative support within their local communities. Discussions focused on how innovative practice, stronger collaboration, and collective action can help address this challenge and enable more people to live well for longer.
The roundtable also marked the premiere of a new Live More film, featuring Andy Burnham, at the time Mayor of Greater Manchester, highlighting the importance of early intervention and community-based support for people affected by dementia.
At the roundtable:
- Neil Crowther, of Social Care Future, and Suzi Clark presented the evaluation of Live More, an initiative delivered in partnership with ADASS Greater Manchester. The programme tested how early action Shared Lives support could improve people’s lives, strengthen family carers’ ability to continue caring and help prevent or delay the need for more intensive services
- Clare Livens, Keiran Winterburn and Claire Brackenbury from the Alzheimer's Society shared learning from the pilot of their Planning for Changing approach, which aims to help people living with dementia and their families remain well, independent and connected, while reducing the risk of crisis.
- Giles Wilmore of Manchester Camerata discussed the organisation's Music in Mind programme and the development of the UK's first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia.
Additional contributions came from Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, Co-Chair of the Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework Task and Finish Group; James Mackey of the Casey Commission on Adult Social Care; and Graham Galloway from Meeting Centres Scotland.
