Janet Smith

Trustee

I am a Trustee at tide and am proud to work with other Trustees to provide the governance and encouragement to the Executive Team and to ensure the charity meets its vision and goals.

About Janet…

Dementia is a cause close to my heart and I feel passionate about shaping and influencing change to policy and approach, making life better for those living with or caring for a loved one with dementia. And who better to articulate that change than the carers who have lived experience?
I realised there was a desperate lack of support available to help my late mum when she was diagnosed with vascular dementia 18 years ago and I was a busy 37 year old mum with a young family myself. It was incredibly difficult to find support for mum and dad and I despaired at how I had to fight against the system every step of the journey. Fifteen years later, my dad also developed dementia along with several other close members of my family and I found little had changed.
I was determined that something positive must emerge from my experiences for the sake of my own children, so they are better prepared and supported if they are faced with similar difficult decisions for me in the future.
My journey began as a Dementia Friend, leading to a Dementia Friends Champion delivering sessions to work colleagues to improve awareness. As my interest widened, I was appointed as a Research Network Volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society assessing and prioritising applications for research funding and monitoring a number of PHD dementia research projects.

An MBA graduate, driving business transformation strategies -designing and delivering large-scale, complex programmes for both local and central government and developing new, innovative, high quality services for blue-chip companies – has kept me busy in my career. During the last few years, I’ve enjoyed a better work-life balance and used my business skills in the voluntary sector. This has also helped me in my role as a Magistrate in Adult and Family courts.