Memory Matters

01/06/2026

💙 A message that speaks volumes about the power of connection…

This feedback beautifully reflects what Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is all about.

For people living with dementia, CST isn’t just a group session – it’s meaningful engagement, gentle mental stimulation, and a chance to stay socially connected in a safe and welcoming space. It can help support memory, encourage conversation, and most importantly, reduce feelings of isolation.

But just as powerful are the ripple effects it has on families and carers. It also creates a valuable window of time for them. While their loved ones attend sessions, many are able to take a break, connect with others, and share their own experiences, surrounded by people who truly “get it.”

We’re so grateful for feedback like this, and for every person who shows up each week. It’s a reminder of why these sessions matter so much 💫

30/05/2026

We made national news!

Yesterday our Dementia Safeguarding Scheme was featured on national and local radio and television, helping shine a light on an issue that affects thousands of families every year: people living with dementia going missing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8p1zknvgvo

Behind every missing person report is a family experiencing fear, uncertainty and heartbreak. Too often, we hear the term "wandering", but people with dementia don't usually leave without a reason. They may be trying to get home, go to work, find a loved one, or make sense of a world that no longer feels familiar.

This scheme is about helping people remain safe while maintaining their dignity, independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this work, including families who have shared their experiences, our partners in policing and health, and the dedicated team at Memory Matters who work tirelessly to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

Most importantly, thank you to the people living with dementia and their families who inspire everything we do.

Being featured on national television is a huge milestone, but this is just the beginning. Our ambition is to roll this scheme out across Devon and Cornwall so that many more families can access practical support, safeguarding technology, and resources such as the Herbert Protocol before a crisis occurs.

To do that, we need your help.

If you believe that people living with dementia deserve to be safe, supported, and able to live independently for longer, please follow the link below and consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us reach more families and potentially save lives.

🔗 Follow the link to help us get there. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/dementiasafeguardingsheme

Together, we can make our communities safer, more understanding, and more dementia-friendly.


Devon & Cornwall Police
Plymouth City Council

The yellow wearable wristbands and small tags use contactless technology similar to paying on a mobile phone.

29/05/2026

Caring for someone living with dementia can bring a lot of questions about the future — and having the right advice early on can provide reassurance and peace of mind 💚

Through Memory Matters’ Advisory Service, carers can access practical support, guidance and trusted information to help them navigate their caring journey with confidence.

We’re also pleased to have Hilary from Nash & Co Solicitors with us every second Tuesday of the month, offering appointment-based support and advice around Lasting Power of Attorney and other important legal matters📝

Because carers deserve support with both the emotional and practical challenges of caring.

Please ring us on 01725 243 333 , if you would like to speak to a member of our team.

29/05/2026

If you care for someone you love, a Carer’s Assessment can feel a bit daunting. Some people worry it’s about being judged, or proving they’re struggling “enough”. It isn’t.

A good Carer’s Assessment is about understanding your reality.

It’s a chance for someone to really look at:
• what your day-to-day life looks like
• the emotional impact of caring
• the practical things you’re managing
• what support could make life more sustainable

Many carers don’t realise they may be entitled to additional help, advice, breaks, equipment, training, emotional support, or help accessing services.

But beyond the practical support, there’s something else that matters just as much: being recognised.

So many carers quietly carry huge responsibility while trying to hold together work, family life, finances, appointments, medication, paperwork, and their own wellbeing. A Carer’s Assessment says: “Your role matters too.”

You do not have to wait until you are at breaking point to ask for support.

Caring for someone should never mean losing yourself completely in the process. 💚

In Plymouth the service is run by Improving Lives Plymouth
And in Cornwall- Cornwall Carers Service.

27/05/2026

💚

26/05/2026

Laughter, conversation, shared moments — all gently designed to support memory, confidence, and connection for people living with dementia 💚

Sometimes the smallest moments can make the biggest difference.

Take a closer look… 👀
🎥 Watch to see what it’s all about

24/05/2026

Just a little update 💛

Over the Bank Holiday, we are closed.

If you need support:

📞 For urgent help, please call 111

Or you can leave us a voicemail on 01752 243 333 and we’ll get back to you as soon on Tuesday 26th May

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Bank Holiday weekend 🌼

Take care 💫 – Memory Matters Plymouth

23/05/2026

What a fantastic day at the Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival 💚🏃‍♂️🏅

This post is a special thank you to our incredible runners and supporters — Gareth, Jemma, Tyler and Jane — for proudly representing Memory Matters and taking on the challenge in support of people living with dementia and their families.

Safe to say the Memory Matters vests made sure nobody missed us out on the course 😉

The money raised helps us continue providing vital dementia support, activities, advice and wellbeing services for people living with dementia, their carers and loved ones across our community.

We’re still counting up the final fundraising total, but more important than anything is the support, awareness and encouragement shown throughout the event. Thank you to everyone who donated, cheered from the sidelines, shared fundraising pages and supported our team along the way 🙌

If you’d still like to support our amazing runners, donations are still open:

💚 Gareth: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/br-h4k4hguf9edb-plymouth-britains-ocean-city-running-festival
💚 Jemma: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jemma-james-1
💚 Jane: https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/1632872?fbclid=IwY2xjawR6WypleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJTnh5OGU5cUplcnhERTRHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl1nPxjBBM8CJvBkL5SGRBqC0OJ-DWoouKy13DcJU_dZ5wojRN8PF76sSUtS_aem_9Tr4WlGJ8LrmZx8dsK3pxg
💚 Tyler: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/br-janah774jcka-plymouth-britains-ocean-city-running-festival

22/05/2026

Dementia Action Week reminds us how important awareness, inclusion, and support are — but for us, dementia action isn’t just one week a year. It’s 365 days a year. 💙

Every day, we work to:
✨ Raise awareness and challenge stigma
✨ Advocate for people living with dementia and their families
✨ Promote understanding, dignity, and inclusion
✨ Connect people to support, activities, and community services
✨ Help make Plymouth a more dementia-friendly city

We know there are so many incredible organisations, groups, charities, care providers, and community projects across Plymouth supporting people affected by dementia — and we want to help shine a light on them too.

Let’s use this week to celebrate the amazing support available in our community and help more people find the services they need. Together, we can continue building awareness, compassion, and action — every single day of the year 💙

If you are an organisation supporting people living with dementia, or you know of one making a difference in Plymouth, drop them in the comments below 👇

Community Builder- Older People The Elder Tree Livewell Southwest Age UK Plymouth

21/05/2026

Dementia Safeguarding Scheme in Plymouth 💙💚

This partnership brings together community support, policing and practical technology to help safeguard people living with dementia who may become lost or disoriented, while also offering reassurance to families and carers.

At Memory Matters, we believe real change happens when organisations work together with a shared purpose — and we’re delighted to be working alongside Devon & Cornwall Police to help create a more dementia-friendly Plymouth.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this pilot possible. Together, we can help vulnerable people stay safer, supported and empowered 💚

If you know someone who may benefit from the scheme, please do encourage them to find out more information here

👉 https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/police-forces/devon-cornwall-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/dementia-safeguarding-scheme/

We've teamed up with Memory Matters to bring a pilot scheme to Plymouth which hopes to safeguard people diagnosed with dementia.

People with dementia may have trouble remembering places and landmarks or processing new information which increases the risk of them going missing. Inspired by work in other police forces, the new Dementia Safeguarding Scheme hopes to reduce wandering episodes that become missing person searches.

The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme will be piloted in Plymouth. It is open to residents in the city who are diagnosed with dementia. The individual, or their next-of-kin or carer, with consent, can sign up to the scheme online.

After signing up to the scheme, people are given wearable devices that can help if they get lost or disoriented. They are free of charge thanks to a donation from Memory Matters' charitable arm, Memory Matters Foundation.

The hangtags and wristbands from Lumiio use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that stores basic information about a person, usually contact details for their next of kin or carer. They can be scanned by most smartphones without the need to download an app, allowing anyone to call for help. The Life 360 Tile uses Bluetooth to show the Tile’s last known location. All the information on the Tile is controlled by the owner or those who support them, not the police.

Combined, these devices will help people return home safely and reduce the need for police searches.

Sergeant Dan Timmins, the officer responsible for bringing the scheme to Plymouth, said: “This is a scheme that I hope will empower and safeguard a lot of people to live independently. Living with dementia can be challenging, and we see many people who repeatedly go missing. People with dementia who go missing are extremely vulnerable, and these devices can quickly prevent these individuals from coming to harm, sometimes even before emergency services need to be contacted.

“I want to encourage people to be upstanders and help anyone who looks lost or confused, whether they are wearing one of our devices or not. Taking a few seconds out of your day to check on someone can make a world of difference. Almost anyone with a smartphone can use the NFC tags; all you need to do is hold your phone over the code.

“If you know someone who could benefit from this scheme, please encourage them to sign up.”

Kate Smith, CEO of Memory Matters, said: “Too often, people living with dementia and their families are left carrying the fear and stress of someone becoming lost or disoriented. This scheme is about giving people greater confidence, independence and safety, while also giving families peace of mind.

At Memory Matters, we know how important practical community support is, and projects like this only happen because of fundraising and charitable investment. Through the support of the Memory Matters Foundation, we are proud to help fund devices that can make a real difference to someone’s everyday life and potentially prevent a vulnerable person from coming to harm.

This partnership shows what can happen when charities, communities and public services work together with a shared purpose, helping people with dementia stay connected, supported and safe within their communities.”

For more information and to complete the new online form, visit https://orlo.uk/LW8LA