Before It Is Too Late: Using Story Capture to Support Person-Led Dementia Care
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Parallel 3
17 November, 2026 5:00 – 6:10 pmVoices, Verse and Melody: Creativity in Dementia Care
Gareth Williams is Founder and Director of The Community Story Hub CIC, a community interest company helping people, families, organisations and communities capture, preserve and share stories, memories and lived experiences. Through the Memory Makers programme, Gareth works with care, hospice, dementia, family and community settings to help people feel seen, heard, known and remembered. His background combines storytelling, poetry, video, community engagement and purpose-led communication, including previous creative work with the NHS, BBC and community organisations. Gareth is passionate about using simple technology and human conversation to protect the stories that matter most.
Summary
In dementia care, a person’s story is not just nostalgia. It can be a practical tool for dignity, reassurance, connection and better support.
This presentation shares early learning from The Community Story Hub CIC’s Memory Makers programme and StoryHub platform, which help people living with dementia, families, carers and community partners capture meaningful stories through guided conversations, audio, video, photographs and simple prompts.
We will explore how story capture can support the move from person-centred to person-led care, bringing “Getting to Know Me” style information to life through the person’s own voice, preferences, routines and relationships.
Drawing on community delivery, care and wellbeing conversations, hospice learning and emerging NHS discussions, the session will consider what has worked, what has been challenging, how consent and accessibility are managed, and how simple story-based approaches can support carers, staff, families and people living with dementia.