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Understanding Dementia: Real Support, Real Stories, Real Change
In this second episode of the our third season, host Andy Baker is joined by Jill Quinn MBE, founder and CEO of Dementia Forward, a Yorkshire-based charity that has grown from a small, passionate team into a nationally recognised organisation supporting nearly 5,000 families affected by dementia.
Together, Andy and Jill explore how grassroots action, community values, and wraparound support are shaping a new standard for dementia care—and how Able Training and Dementia Forward are partnering to raise awareness and push for meaningful change.
👥 In this episode, we discuss:
Jill’s journey from retail manager to founder of an award-winning dementia charity
The realities of starting small but thinking big—and why local impact matters
The stigma and misconceptions around dementia, especially in younger people
Why early support and education can change the entire trajectory of a diagnosis
The importance of personalised care, meaningful activities, and ongoing emotional support
The story behind the You & Me Campaign and the growing movement for Young Onset Dementia
Details of the National Young Onset Dementia Conference at Elland Road Stadium
How volunteers, carers, and teachers all play a vital role in supporting those with dementia
Why Jill believes the charity sector needs more confidence, collaboration, and creativity
The launch of Hat Day during Dementia Action Week—and how you can get involved
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Awareness is prevention. Families that connect with support earlier are less likely to experience crisis—and more likely to thrive.
✅ Young onset dementia is often overlooked. A lack of national data, strategy, and targeted care leaves many families unsupported. Jill shares how Dementia Forward is leading the charge to change this.
✅ Local support, national model. Dementia Forward’s wraparound service—from diagnosis to end of life—offers a powerful example of how community-first care can scale.
✅ You don’t need to be a national organisation to make national impact. Jill’s message to small charities is simple: keep going, keep sharing, and don’t underestimate the power of what you’re doing.
✅ Partnership is powerful. The new collaboration between Able Training and Dementia Forward aims to increase access to training, raise awareness, and create a stronger network of support for families, professionals, and volunteers alike.
📌 Featured Initiatives:
🎩 Hat Day – “Don’t Keep Dementia Under Your Hat”
Taking place during Dementia Action Week in May, Hat Day is a fun, visual campaign encouraging people to wear hats, start conversations, and raise both awareness and funds for dementia support. Schools, surgeries, and communities are already signing up—why not join in?
🎶 The You & Me Campaign
Launched with the help of Jonathan Beardsworth, a former music exec diagnosed with young onset dementia, this campaign includes an original track, a growing awareness movement, and an annual national Young Onset Dementia Conference—taking place this year at Elland Road with support from Care England.
🏫 Centre of Excellence for Young Onset Dementia
Dementia Forward’s newest project aims to bring together training, research, and lived experience to create a national model of support. In partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Able Training, the centre will serve as a hub for innovation, learning, and influence.
🔗 Links & Resources:
🧠 Dementia Forward Website: https://www.dementiaforward.org.uk
☎️ Dementia Forward Helpline: 03300 578592
📘 Andy’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🧰 Able Training Courses: click here
💬 Join the Conversation
Whether you’re a carer, teacher, parent, or just someone who wants to better understand dementia—you’re part of this movement. Share your thoughts, wear a hat, start a conversation, and help us make care better for everyone.
📲 Follow, subscribe, and leave a review to help more people discover the podcast.
🔁 Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or loved one—it might be the conversation that changes everything.
🎧 Able to Care Podcast – Season 3 is here, and we’re just getting started.
View all episodes
By Able Training Support LtdIn this second episode of the our third season, host Andy Baker is joined by Jill Quinn MBE, founder and CEO of Dementia Forward, a Yorkshire-based charity that has grown from a small, passionate team into a nationally recognised organisation supporting nearly 5,000 families affected by dementia.
Together, Andy and Jill explore how grassroots action, community values, and wraparound support are shaping a new standard for dementia care—and how Able Training and Dementia Forward are partnering to raise awareness and push for meaningful change.
👥 In this episode, we discuss:
Jill’s journey from retail manager to founder of an award-winning dementia charity
The realities of starting small but thinking big—and why local impact matters
The stigma and misconceptions around dementia, especially in younger people
Why early support and education can change the entire trajectory of a diagnosis
The importance of personalised care, meaningful activities, and ongoing emotional support
The story behind the You & Me Campaign and the growing movement for Young Onset Dementia
Details of the National Young Onset Dementia Conference at Elland Road Stadium
How volunteers, carers, and teachers all play a vital role in supporting those with dementia
Why Jill believes the charity sector needs more confidence, collaboration, and creativity
The launch of Hat Day during Dementia Action Week—and how you can get involved
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Awareness is prevention. Families that connect with support earlier are less likely to experience crisis—and more likely to thrive.
✅ Young onset dementia is often overlooked. A lack of national data, strategy, and targeted care leaves many families unsupported. Jill shares how Dementia Forward is leading the charge to change this.
✅ Local support, national model. Dementia Forward’s wraparound service—from diagnosis to end of life—offers a powerful example of how community-first care can scale.
✅ You don’t need to be a national organisation to make national impact. Jill’s message to small charities is simple: keep going, keep sharing, and don’t underestimate the power of what you’re doing.
✅ Partnership is powerful. The new collaboration between Able Training and Dementia Forward aims to increase access to training, raise awareness, and create a stronger network of support for families, professionals, and volunteers alike.
📌 Featured Initiatives:
🎩 Hat Day – “Don’t Keep Dementia Under Your Hat”
Taking place during Dementia Action Week in May, Hat Day is a fun, visual campaign encouraging people to wear hats, start conversations, and raise both awareness and funds for dementia support. Schools, surgeries, and communities are already signing up—why not join in?
🎶 The You & Me Campaign
Launched with the help of Jonathan Beardsworth, a former music exec diagnosed with young onset dementia, this campaign includes an original track, a growing awareness movement, and an annual national Young Onset Dementia Conference—taking place this year at Elland Road with support from Care England.
🏫 Centre of Excellence for Young Onset Dementia
Dementia Forward’s newest project aims to bring together training, research, and lived experience to create a national model of support. In partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Able Training, the centre will serve as a hub for innovation, learning, and influence.
🔗 Links & Resources:
🧠 Dementia Forward Website: https://www.dementiaforward.org.uk
☎️ Dementia Forward Helpline: 03300 578592
📘 Andy’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🧰 Able Training Courses: click here
💬 Join the Conversation
Whether you’re a carer, teacher, parent, or just someone who wants to better understand dementia—you’re part of this movement. Share your thoughts, wear a hat, start a conversation, and help us make care better for everyone.
📲 Follow, subscribe, and leave a review to help more people discover the podcast.
🔁 Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or loved one—it might be the conversation that changes everything.
🎧 Able to Care Podcast – Season 3 is here, and we’re just getting started.