Dr Natasha Woodstoke is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has worked in multiple services in the NHS and social care. She has an interest in dementia post-diagnosis support and in ensuring access to psychological support for those with disabilities. As a Dementia Research Fellow, her focus has been on how we can support couples to adjust and cope better following a diagnosis of dementia.
Richard Cheston previously worked as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS for 25 years before moving to UWE Bristol. His research interests focus on the psychosocial impact of dementia on people living with and affected by the condition. Along with Ann Marshall he developed the LivDem group intervention and now leads the LivDem research programme at UWE Bristol.
Dr Natasha Woodstoke
Dementia Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist
Richard Cheston previously worked as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS for 25 years before moving to UWE Bristol. His research interests focus on the psychosocial impact of dementia on people living with and affected by the condition. Along with Ann Marshall he developed the LivDem group intervention and now leads the LivDem research programme at UWE Bristol.
Summary
The Living Well with Dementia (LivDem) group programme is an 8-week course which helps people recently diagnosed with dementia to talk about and adjust to their condition. It aims to help people feel less frightened by their diagnosis and better able to cope. We have now adapted this programme for couples and families (LivDem-Families) and aim to give families the opportunity to talk together about the condition and the impact it has on them all. It also gives them a space to think about how they can cope better together and plan for the future. Feedback from people living with dementia and their families so far tells us that they find the new version helpful. We are keen to explore whether this course could be helpful to more families and if it could be delivered by NHS services.
