The Dementia Download

The Dementia Download - Meaningful Activities

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:38:31 GMT

In this episode of The Dementia Download, we're learning about the importance of meaningful activities for those affected by dementia.

We'll hear from somebody living with dementia, some activity organisers, an Occupational Therapist and an academic, who will all be helping us answer the questions:

What makes activities meaningful?

What are the benefits of meaningful activities?

What are some of the barriers people face when trying to engage in meaningful activities?

And, how do we overcome these barriers?

Contributors

Emma Pickup - Occupational Therapist

Jack Culpiin - Angling Trust

Pete Middleton - https://www.livingwithdementia.online

Kate Darby - https://www.dementiadisco.org

Di & Angel - https://chinesewellbeing.co.uk

Nicole Haschke - https://www.knittingforcharity.com

Karl Simms - https://profiles.liverpool.ac.uk/7221-karl-simms

Narrated by Roger Hill

Co-produced and edited by Nat Gavin

Scripted and co-produced by Alisha Riley

Additional research and interviews were conducted by D’vonte Devonish, Lucy Chung and Maisie Kennedy,

Additional audio recording by Sam Tulley.

The music in this episode was played by Don Beecham, a man living with dementia, during one of his daily piano playing sessions.

Additional research was taken from the paper ‘Meaningful Activity for Persons With Dementia: Family Caregiver Perspectives’ by Kaitlyn Roland and Neena Chappelle

The Dementia Download podcast is made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust

If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback about the podcast, please contact

hello@mdfr.co.uk

The Dementia Download - Mindfulness

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:24:46 GMT

In this episode of The Dementia Download, we're focussing on dementia and mindfulness. We’ll be exploring what mindfulness is, from its ancient roots to modern uses, and how it benefits people whose lives are affected by dementia. We’ll also be sharing some simple exercises that you can try out for yourself.

This month’s guests are Gemima Fitzgerald: a clinical psychologist, Roy Foden: a former Auxiliary Nurse who was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia 14 years ago, and Nick Stolerman, who has practiced mindful meditation personally, and professionally, for many years.

You can find the free mindfulness project at: freemindfulness.org

Narration is by Roger Hill, with a script by Alisha Riley. Produced and edited by Nat Gavin, with additional research and interviewing by Maisie Kennedy.

Music in this episode is by Don Beacham, a man living with dementia.

Links and Helplines:

Links

https://www.dementiauk.org

www.alzheimers.org.uk

https://www.ageuk.org.uk

Helplines

Alzheimers Society Dementia Support Line

0333 150 3456

Monday to Wednesday: 9am – 8pm

Thursday and Friday: 9am – 5pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline to speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse

0800 888 6678

Email - helpline@dementiauk.org

Monday to Friday 9am-9pm

Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm

Open bank holidays (9am-5pm), except 25th December

Age UK Advice Line for older people

0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year

Dementia Carers Count - Carer Support Line

0800 652 1102

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

The Dementia Download podcast is made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust

The Dementia Download - Emotions

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:06:59 GMT

In this episode of The Dementia Download we explore emotions. We cover some of the emotions that can be caused by the changes in the brain brought about by dementia itself. We then delve into some of the emotions that can be felt around the time of diagnosis and some of the ways we can cope with these emotions.

This episode features contributions from:

Andi Jaeckel, a Clinical Psychologist based in Merseyside who specialises in dementia

Pete Middleton - a dementia activist who is living with dementia https://www.livingwithdementia.online

Audrey - a former carer for her husband Tom

Gina Shaw (archival) - a former dementia activist with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

Nat Gavin - a former carer for his mum Gina

Narration is by Roger Hill, with a script by Alisha Riley. Produced and edited by Nat Gavin.

Music in this episode is by Don Beacham, a man living with dementia.

Links and Helplines:

Links

https://www.dementiauk.org

www.alzheimers.org.uk

https://www.ageuk.org.uk

Helplines

Alzheimers Society Dementia Support Line

0333 150 3456

Monday to Wednesday: 9am – 8pm

Thursday and Friday: 9am – 5pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline to speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse

0800 888 6678

Email - helpline@dementiauk.org

Monday to Friday 9am-9pm

Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm

Open bank holidays (9am-5pm), except 25th December

Age UK Advice Line for older people

0800 678 1602

Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year

Dementia Carers Count - Carer Support Line

0800 652 1102

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

The Dementia Download - Pre-Diagnosis

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:15:53 GMT

In our first episode of The Dementia Download, we talk about the Pre-Diagnosis process, including

How to spot the signs of dementia?

How to go about getting a diagnosis?

and

What's involved in the diagnosis process?

We hear from Clinical Psychiatrist Dr Cara Webb, and dementia activist Pete Middleton.

Pete has an incredible blog, covering many subjects relating to dementia. You can find it here - https://www.livingwithdementia.online

The Dementia Download podcast is made possible by a grant from The National Lottery's Community Fund.