UKDC 20th Anniversary Conference: Lived Experience Takes Centre Stage

Join us in Doncaster as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the UK Dementia Congress (UKDC) with a conference programme that places the voices of people affected by dementia at the heart of the conversation.

Bringing together people living with dementia, family carers, health and social care professionals, researchers and academics, this year’s event will explore the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping dementia care while ensuring those with lived experience lead the discussion.

The conference opens with a powerful plenary session featuring people living with dementia sharing their perspectives on what needs to change in dementia care. A special feature of the session will be a short film created from contributions by people living with dementia, who were asked a simple but profound question: “What needs to change in dementia care?” Their one-minute reflections have been brought together to create a compelling insight into the priorities, concerns and hopes of people with lived experience, ensuring their voices remain central to discussions throughout the conference.

The programme also includes a panel discussion with family carers, offering a candid look at the realities of caring for loved ones with dementia. Panellists will share their experiences of supporting relatives from a distance and caring for multiple family members living with dementia, exploring the emotional, practical and logistical challenges they face, as well as the resilience and resourcefulness that carers demonstrate every day.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to hear about the experience of living with young onset dementia, gaining a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by people diagnosed at a younger age and their families.

Reflecting UKDC’s commitment to inclusion and equality, the conference will shine a spotlight on underrepresented voices and seldom-heard communities, providing a platform for people whose experiences of dementia are too often overlooked. Through a range of presentations and discussions, delegates will gain valuable insights into the barriers faced by diverse communities and the action needed to ensure dementia care and support is accessible, inclusive and responsive to everyone’s needs.

As UKDC marks two decades of advancing knowledge, sharing best practice and driving improvements in dementia care, this anniversary conference offers a unique opportunity to learn from those with direct experience, challenge assumptions and help shape a more inclusive future for people affected by dementia.

Join us in Doncaster to hear the voices that matter most and be part of the conversation about the future of dementia care.