Changing lives through sharing stories is just one of the founding principles behind tide, together in dementia everyday who are delighted to have been awarded charity status. Dementia is a growing health crisis, with someone developing dementia every 3 seconds. In the UK there are 850,000 people living with dementia, supported by family or friends who take on the role of carer. tide, gives a voice to these carers and wants to bring about change in how people with dementia are cared for. Set up by three people who all have direct experience of caring for someone with dementia, tide may have only just received charity status but it has been 5 years in the making. When a person is told they have dementia it is more than one person who receives the diagnosis of dementia. Jean Tottie one of the founding members of tide had been working in health & social care for more than 35 years when her Dad was diagnosed with Dementia.

Jean said, “After receiving the devastating news I was at a loss on how to access help and what to do next after my Dad was diagnosed. With all my experience and understanding of the health and social care system I could not find the support needed. I knew others must face the same situation. I wasn’t listened to as the person who knew my Dad best and what was needed to help him remain independently living at home. I knew more could be done.”

Demand for tide’s activities are growing, it is through carers sharing stories that the idea for a new campaign was created. The Living Grief and Bereavement resource pack focuses on the often unspoken challenges a carer of a person with dementia faces. The resource is now being used across the UK with carer feedback instrumental in how this and all resources are developed and shared. Ruth Eley, founding member wants to give more carers the opportunity to get involved, speak out and use their experience to influence policy and practice UK wide. Key initiatives include the carer development programme, offering free sessions to build confidence, skills and knowledge for carers, with a recent attendee dementia carer Cecilia Toole saying

“tide has presented me with opportunities to influence health care professionals and raise issues that carers experience. I learnt how to tell my story, sway opinions and advocate for change”

Advocating for change is just one of the long term aims for tide by giving carers a continued voice to influence policy. Anna Gaughan Chief Executive said

“we will continue to create a force for positive change, grow our community of carers, share stories and empower carers to ensure their voices has a positive influence on policy, society and for those who look after people with dementia”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Together we are stronger and we want you to join us, if you care for anyone living with dementia, have done in the past or know someone who does, join us now. Together we can create real change for carers of dementia. Visit our website www.tide.net.uk Join the mailing list Follow us on Facebook and Twitter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image is left to right: tide founders Ruth Eley, Jean Tottie, Anna Gaughan

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If you would like to interview a carer or one of the founding members, please get in touch 0151 237 2669 vicki@lifestorynetwork.org.uk