A new series of dementia education training films developed in partnership with people who have lived experience of a dementia is due to be launched.

The project to produce a suite of ten films has involved NHS Gloucestershire working in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, health and care partners, housing providers and the care home sector. The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has also helped to produce the films alongside people with a dementia and their families.

The intended audience for the films includes people working in health and social care, domiciliary care and family carers.

Jane Haros, Deputy Director of Nursing-Integrated Commissioning (Health Care & Communities) said she was ‘very proud’ of the films which will be rolled out in the autumn.

“These films are designed to enhance understanding and improve the quality of care for people living with a dementia across our communities,” she said.

Developed with input from those with lived experience, the films provide powerful, real-world perspectives from a variety of care settings.

They will serve as a valuable resource not only for professionals across health, social care and the voluntary sector, but also for informal carers and families.

We believe this initiative will make a lasting impact by equipping our workforce with the knowledge and empathy needed to deliver truly person-centred dementia care.”

Dementia is a syndrome, which has a group of related symptoms, associated with an ongoing decline in brain function. There are many different causes of dementia and many different types.

In the UK, one in 11 people over the age of 65 has a dementia and the number of people with a dementia is increasing due to people living longer.

Steve Shelley-King, Clinical Lead for Dementia at NHS Gloucestershire said:

“The films will really help influence positive practice for people supporting those living with a dementia by better understanding a person’s lived experience.

I am passionate and committed to the project and I want it to be successful because I can see how beneficial it is for people caring for those with a dementia.

The films aren’t just for healthcare professionals though – it’s just as helpful for families and those caring for people living with a dementia to have strategies to better support people.

Hopefully the films will help people think about different approaches when supporting people with a dementia so that they can develop tools which they can refer to when needed.”