When Time Aligns: Conversations Through Story, Care and Lived Experience
Parallel 5
18 November, 2026 2:10 – 3:20 pmMini Presentations: Group 2
Gina Awad is a dementia consultant, advocate and author. She was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2018 for services to dementia and named Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Champion of the Year in 2016. She was the founder and lead (2014–2025) of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, which achieved significant community reach and impact in dementia awareness and inclusion.
Gina is a carer representative for the Royal College Of Psychiatrists on the Memory services National accreditation programme
She is the creator and host of the voluntary community radio show Living Better with Dementia on Phonic FM. Her first book was selected as one of 20 books for the Reading Well on Dementia book list 2024.
When Time Aligns: Stories of Care From a Dementia Companion is her second book.
Gina is also an independent life celebrant, creating meaningful, personalised tributes that honour life stories with dignity and care.
Sarah Merriman currently works as the Head of dementia for Advinia Healthcare, prior to that she was a Freelance Dementia Consultant providing training and service design as well as 1 to 1 carer support.. She has seven years of lived experience caring for her Nana with dementia . She also spent ten years working in the charity sector , as Head of Campaigning and Influencing and then Service Development Lead for a Dementia Carers charity.
She has a special interest in Young Onset Dementia and sits on the Young Dementia Network steering group . She completed her MSc Dementia Studies at the University of Hull . She continues to raise awareness and campaign for a more equitable world for those living with Dementia and their families.
Sarah Merriman
Head of Dementia
Advinia Healthcare
Sarah Merriman currently works as the Head of dementia for Advinia Healthcare, prior to that she was a Freelance Dementia Consultant providing training and service design as well as 1 to 1 carer support.. She has seven years of lived experience caring for her Nana with dementia . She also spent ten years working in the charity sector , as Head of Campaigning and Influencing and then Service Development Lead for a Dementia Carers charity.
She has a special interest in Young Onset Dementia and sits on the Young Dementia Network steering group . She completed her MSc Dementia Studies at the University of Hull . She continues to raise awareness and campaign for a more equitable world for those living with Dementia and their families.
Summary
This presentation takes the form of a fireside-style conversation exploring dementia care through storytelling and lived experience. Drawing on When Time Aligns, a collection of seven narrative-based stories inspired by real situations, the session focuses on key aspects of dementia care including transitions, communication, cultural influences, and the impact on families and care partners.
Through a guided Q&A between the author and a dementia care sector professional, the session will explore the emotional and relational realities often not addressed in formal training. Rather than presenting theory, the conversation highlights how storytelling can support deeper understanding and more compassionate approaches to care.
The session offers a reflective, accessible format that connects lived experience with professional insight, relevant to those working across care settings and in community-based roles.