Sargent Group Consulting

05/11/2026

What if you searched 20,000 holiday properties and found just TWO that could accommodate your family's accessibility needs?

That was the reality for Gillian Scotford, and it inspired her to make a difference.

In the latest episode of the All Inclusive Solutions podcast I spoke to Gillian about her journey from district nursing sister to accessibility consultant and the creation of Havendale, a holiday bungalow designed to be truly inclusive.

As a mother of two sons with extensive accessibility needs, Gillian experienced first-hand the challenges of finding suitable holiday accommodation.

But rather than simply accepting the situation, she decided to do something about it.

In this fascinating conversation, Gillian shares:

- How her personal experiences inspired her to create accessible holiday accommodation.
- Why accessibility is about so much more than wheelchair access, including the needs of people with dementia, autism and sensory impairments.
- How small, inexpensive adaptations can make an enormous difference to someone's independence and comfort.
- Why providing clear, honest information about a property's accessibility is so important.

- Why we should all be thinking about future-proofing our homes as we get older.

One of the key messages from this episode is that accessible design doesn't have to look clinical or institutional. It can be beautiful, welcoming and practical for everyone.

Gillian's story is a wonderful example of how lived experience can inspire innovative solutions that improve other people's lives.
Here is the link

https://ow.ly/fJVG5103ygp

Have you ever struggled to find accessible accommodation for yourself or a loved one? I would love to hear your views

04/11/2026

What if dementia inclusion wasn't about creating more dementia-specific activities, but about opening up the communities we already have?

This is exactly what For Brian CIC is doing in Hammersmith and Fulham. ❤️

I first met Clare Morris, the founder of For Brian, at the Dementia UK Congress in Doncaster in 2019. Rather fittingly, we'll be back at the same congress together in a couple of weeks!

One thing that has always struck me about Clare is that everything she does starts with people and their communities. Her passion is making those communities as welcoming, accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone.

Rather than automatically creating separate activities or groups for people diagnosed with dementia, Clare starts with a much simpler question:

"What would YOU like to do?"

She takes the time to build relationships, understand people's interests and aspirations, and then helps them connect with the activities, groups and opportunities already happening around them. And where there's a gap, she brings people together to create something that the whole community can enjoy.

As a Director of For Brian CIC, I've had the privilege of seeing this approach in action.

One of my favourite experiences was joining a Positive Spin cycling event, where people living with dementia, their families, friends and other members of the local community came together to enjoy cycling.

I had absolutely no idea there were so many different types of adaptive cycles, enabling people to cycle independently or alongside others!

But what stayed with me wasn't the bikes. It was the smiles, the laughter, the families enjoying time together and the wonderful sense of belonging.

Nobody was defined by a diagnosis. Everyone was simply part of their community, enjoying themselves and each other's company.

And that's what makes For Brian so special.

It's about helping people living with dementia rediscover their confidence, try new things, maintain relationships and feel that they have just as much right as anyone else to participate in community life.

It's also about giving the wider community the opportunity to get to know people living with dementia as individuals — people with interests, talents, humour, ambitions and so much to contribute.

Because one of the most powerful ways to challenge the stigma surrounding dementia is simply to bring people together.

We don't always need to create something separate for people with dementia.

Sometimes we just need to make sure the opportunities already on our doorstep are genuinely open to everyone.

That's dementia inclusion in action. And that's what For Brian is all about. ❤️
Here is the website
https://forbrian.co/

For Brian CIC, was founded by Clare Morris and David Dansky in 2018. It was their spirit of curiosity, desire to enable the dementia community to live active and connected lives and their engagement…

03/11/2026

Meeting Centres for people living with Dementia – What makes them so successful?

I first heard about Meeting Centres from Graham Galloway at the Dementia UK Congress in Coventry, and I was so impressed that I immediately invited someone to speak to the Borough Dementia Action Group I chaired.

What I loved most was that no two Meeting Centres were the same. Although they shared an evidence-based approach, each was shaped by its local dementia community, reflecting the interests, needs and aspirations of the people living there.

And for me, that is what makes them so special.

Meeting Centres recognise that living well with dementia is about far more than managing symptoms or receiving care. It is about friendship, confidence, belonging, fun and continuing to live a fulfilling life.

So why are they successful?

Because they focus on the person, not the diagnosis; they recognise interests, abilities, aspirations and what brings them joy.

The centres encourage friendships and belonging, creating opportunities to connect, share experiences and feel valued. I also love the practical and emotional support for the whole family, which helps people adapt to change, build confidence and do the things that matter to them.

Because these centres are created in local communities, they draw on local knowledge, relationships and resources to reflect local needs.

And importantly, Meeting Centres are underpinned by research, with evidence demonstrating benefits for people living with dementia and their families.

Perhaps their greatest strength is combining a proven approach with local ownership and flexibility.

It is not about rolling out identical centres across the country but about empowering local dementia communities to create something that works for them.

Because ultimately, successful dementia support isn't measured by how many services we create, but by the difference they make to people's lives.

I'd love to hear from people involved in Meeting Centres.

What makes your local Meeting Centre special?

And here is a link for more info

There is a great deal of help and support available for people affected by dementia. Here is a selection of websites and helplines we think you’ll find useful.

28/10/2026

Dementia support should be about helping people live well, not simply managing their condition.

I am always interested in organisations that are challenging traditional approaches to dementia care and finding innovative ways to support people living with dementia and their families.

One organisation doing just that is Memory Matters, a Plymouth-based charity and social enterprise providing dementia support across Plymouth and Cornwall.

What particularly interests me about their approach is the emphasis on empowering people living with dementia, rather than focusing solely on what they may have lost.

Their work includes:

💜 Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) – structured, evidence-based activities designed to support cognitive functioning and quality of life.

💜 Dementia advice and support– helping individuals and families navigate the challenges that can follow a diagnosis.

💜 Moments Café– a public café in Plymouth that brings people together while using its profits to help fund dementia support.

💜 Training and education – helping professionals, organisations and communities develop a better understanding of dementia.

I particularly welcome their commitment to involving people living with dementia in designing services.

Too often, decisions about dementia care are made 'for' people rather than 'with' them.

Having spent many years developing dementia services, I firmly believe that meaningful activities, social connections, independence and a sense of purpose should be central to the support we provide.

We need to move beyond seeing dementia care purely through a medical lens and recognise the importance of community-based services that help people continue living fulfilling lives.

Organisations like Memory Matters demonstrate how social enterprise, therapeutic activities and community involvement can come together to make a difference.

My question is this: Are we investing enough in helping people live well with dementia today, alongside our search for treatments for tomorrow?

I'd encourage anyone interested in innovative approaches to dementia support to explore their work.

27/10/2026

What can children teach us about dementia?
And what can older generations teach our children?
Sometimes the most powerful approaches to dementia care aren't about medicine or technology. They're about human connection, understanding and bringing generations together.

I was delighted to welcome Fiona Mahoney founder of Reminiscence Learning to the All Inclusive Solutions podcast, to explore the importance of intergenerational influence.

Fiona's journey is fascinating. From the influence of her grandparents during childhood to her career in occupational therapy and the creation of Reminiscence Learning, she has demonstrated how creativity, empathy and understanding can transform the lives of people living with dementia.

One initiative I particularly admire is their award-winning Archie Project, which brings schoolchildren and older people together, helping children develop a greater understanding of dementia while creating meaningful connections with care home residents.
It's such a simple but powerful concept.

Children learn that dementia doesn't define a person. Older people benefit from interaction, stimulation and the opportunity to share their experiences and stories.

And perhaps most importantly, we challenge the stereotypes that too often surround ageing and dementia.

One comment from Fiona really resonated with me:
"It's so important that we just accept everybody for who they are, we shouldn't be prescriptive in life."

Having spent many years working in dementia care and exploring ways to improve quality of life, I firmly believe we need to look beyond traditional models of support.

In addtion to the national Archie project Reminiscence Learning run a number of other projects in Somerset including Together in Sport, Respite Activity Sessions, Memory Activity Groups and a new project called MAP, Memory Adventure Project which takes people on trips out.

Good dementia care isn't just about managing a condition. It's about enabling people to continue living meaningful, connected and enjoyable lives. They certainly do offer a lot!

Organisations like Reminiscence Learning demonstrate what can be achieved when we put people, rather than their diagnosis, at the centre of everything we do.
I'd encourage anyone working in dementia care, education or community services to listen to this conversation. I will add the link into the comments.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts.

Should intergenerational programmes become a much bigger part of how we support people living with dementia?

26/10/2026

Why aren't we doing more to support dementia care models that are already making a difference?

One organisation I have been following with great interest is The Filo Project which was founded by Libby Pricer and Dr Liz Dennis in 2014 – the same year I established MindforYou, my specialist dementia holiday service.

Earlier this month, I was delighted to speak at the Devon Dementia Conference, led by Libby, and it reinforced my admiration for what they have achieved.

What began with just two small groups has grown into 100 groups running every week across Devon, Somerset, East Lancashire, Cornwall, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

But what makes The Filo Project so special?

Its approach is beautifully simple. Rather than traditional day care in an institutional setting, it offers small, welcoming groups hosted in people's homes.

A Filo Day is essentially a day out with friends.

The host collects each person from their home, providing a gentle start to the day. Group members enjoy conversation, activities and a shared lunch, with opportunities to pursue their interests and focus on what they can still do and enjoy.

Crucially, people attend with the same host and group members each week, building familiarity, friendships and trust.

For families, it also provides something invaluable – regular, reliable respite, knowing their loved one is enjoying meaningful time in a safe, supportive environment.

This is dignified, person-centred dementia care without the stigma that can sometimes accompany traditional services.

And Libby and Liz's commitment doesn't stop there.

They have also been instrumental in campaigning to end VAT charges affecting dementia care services, challenging a system that can place additional financial burdens on people and families already facing enormous challenges.

I believe we need to pay far greater attention to innovative community-based services like The Filo Project.

We spend considerable time discussing new treatments for dementia, but we must give equal attention to approaches that are improving quality of life right now.

The Filo Project demonstrates how a relatively simple idea, delivered with compassion and consistency, can grow into something remarkable.

My question is: why aren't more local authorities investing in and expanding these proven approaches to dementia support?

I'd love to hear from commissioners, dementia professionals and families about their experiences of community-based dementia care.

Do share below any support groups you have found useful.

23/10/2026

Could Shared Lives transform dementia care across the UK? And if the evidence is there, why aren't we doing more of it?

When we talk about advances in dementia care, the conversation often focuses on new drugs and medical treatments. But what about approaches already demonstrating improvements in the lives of people living with dementia?

One approach I believe deserves greater attention is Shared Lives Plus

This model connects people needing support with approved carers who welcome them into their homes and families, offering personalised care, companionship and opportunities to remain part of their communities.

It also has a personal connection for me.

The original pilot was evaluated in 2018 in Moray, Scotland, where my parents came from and where I spent much of my childhood. Shared Lives is now a commissioned service in Moray, yet it has not been widely adopted across the UK.

So why am I excited about Greater Manchester?
A recent six-month pilot involving around 70 people has produced encouraging findings around social connection, everyday activities and family support.

Importantly, the evaluation gathered evidence aligned with the measures adult social care commissioners use when deciding which services to fund.

We need more than inspiring stories. We need robust evidence demonstrating how
approaches like this improve everyday lives.

I believe Shared Lives has the potential to deliver benefits comparable in some important areas to those sought through new Alzheimer's treatments, while supporting people with different types of dementia and without medication-related side effects.

These are different interventions, and direct comparisons require care. But surely we should invest just as much energy in approaches that improve quality of life?

I previously proposed Shared Lives to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland local authorities, but unfortunately couldn't secure their involvement. I hope this growing evidence encourages them to reconsider.

What gives me hope is what happens next.
Shared Lives Plus plans to bring together organisations, partners and people living with dementia to strengthen the case for investment and explore how successful approaches can reach more people.
We don't always need to start from scratch. Sometimes we need to recognise what's working, evaluate it and make it available more widely.

If we have approaches that can improve lives, why aren't we scaling them up faster?

I'd welcome the views of commissioners, dementia professionals and families.

Here is a link to the video
https://youtu.be/gLWDTxatCj0?si=sSa2cgDbsdG-0UXs
I will add a link to the report in the comments

What happens if people living with dementia and their families are ...

20/10/2026

Should £38 million be spent to fund dementia clinical trials or provide 1.5 million hours of professionally staffed respite care?

It’s been an exciting few weeks in the UK dementia world .

We’ve seen significant investment, growing campaigns for NHS access to new dementia drugs and a renewed determination to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families. This momentum has been strengthened by political leaders whose personal experiences of dementia have brought the challenges faced by families into sharper focus.

Our Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken about the impact of his father’s dementia diagnosis and his commitment to improving support and outcomes for the dementia community. With greater political attention, increased investment and growing public awareness, there is certainly a sense of hope and optimism about what the future might hold.

And I would certainly share in that optimism and excitement if I didn’t have the knowledge and experience of designing and interpreting clinical trials, alongside a deep understanding of the regulatory process and why organisations like NICE exist worldwide.

Instead, Andy Burnham is surrounded by people in the dementia community who desperately want there to be a drug treatment for Alzheimer’s and fail to look at the actual evidence or respect the experts who make these decisions. Not just in the UK, but across the world.

As a pharmaceutical scientist who is trained to be led by the data and has been involved in seeking large-scale investment for drug launches, I am dismayed that the scientists at Alzheimer's Research UK are not providing a balanced interpretation of the evidence.

Why are Alzheimers Research supporting these new drugs whilst NICE and their equivalents throughout the world are not?
Why aren’t Alzheimers Research emphasising that only 30% of Alzheimer’s patients can safely take these drugs and see statistically significant effects?
Why aren’t they acknowledging that we don’t know what a clinically meaningful reductionin disease progression is?

These drugs have been studied in clinical trials for only about 18 months.

That raises important questions about whether all potential side effects have been identified, the longer-term safety of these treatments, and whether the benefits observed inapproximately 30% of patients can be sustained over time.

I and many others are calling for:-
More evidence to be presented to understand the risk/benefit analysis for people living with Alzheimer’s
To investigate the costs to the NHS for supplying these drugs
To explore what implications there would be for the wider public living with other diseases who need access to similar imaging equipment

As a pharmaceutical scientist, I was taught that before bringing a new drug to patients, you must be able to answer three simple questions:

Can we identify who will benefit?
Do thebenefits outweigh the risks?
And have we tested the drug for long enough to be confident inboth?

These are not unreasonable expectations and are the foundations of safe, effective medicine.

Which therefore begs the question: why is £38 million of public money being spent in this area?

15/10/2026

🎨 A dementia diagnosis should never mean losing the opportunity to enjoy art and creativity.

Painting, drawing, making a collage or visiting a gallery can offer opportunities to explore interests, express yourself and share an experience with others.

There is a real need for dementia-friendly arts practice to consider relevance as well as accessibility. People living with dementia should have opportunities that reflect their interests and give them a reason to return.

If you’re planning an art activity and want to be dementia inclusive try:

💜 Offering a choice of materials and subjects
💜 Providing clear, gentle guidance and time to explore
💜 Creating a calm, welcoming space with opportunities for breaks
💜 Choosing activities suited to the person’s interests
💜 Letting each person decide how much they want to take part

There’s no need to produce a perfect picture. Choosing colours, experimenting with textures or enjoying a conversation can all be part of the experience.

What creative activities does someone you support enjoy?