Comic to help young people better understand dementia

My Dementia Guide was created by Illustration students
Illustration students with their comic as part of FIND ME project, supporting young people affected by dementia

Comic to help young people better understand dementia

My Dementia Guide was created by Illustration students

Students from the University of Plymouth have designed a comic to help young people understand dementia, including how to support a loved one living with the condition. 
The idea came as part of links with FIND ME, a national research project led by the University of West London (UWL) focused on improving care for people with dementia through more closely involving their families.  
Entitled My Dementia Guide, the comic is primarily aimed at children between 8-11 years old whose parents have young onset dementia, as well as those whose grandparents are living with the condition. It has a particular focus on helping young people to understand what is happening when their family member with dementia is experiencing a mental health crisis. 
Young onset dementia (YOD) affects people under the age of 65 and sometimes even as young as 40 or 50. There are an estimated 70,800 people living with young onset dementia in the UK (Alzheimer's Society, 2026), many of whom have dependent children.
Read the comic

FIND ME – My Dementia Guide for children 

We chose to create a resource catered to a younger audience as there are little to no resources for this age group and it would make a difference by providing support for children and their families in such a difficult time.

As well as giving me experience and confidence working with a real organisation, this project has helped me realise how I passionate I am about using art to make a difference.
Millie Hammer, one of the Illustration students who created the comic

Why the work matters

The comic was developed as part of the FIND ME study (Family Involvement in Dementia Mental Health Environments), led by Professor Emma Wolverson at UWL’s Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory (GIAM), and supported by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). 
As well as researchers, the FIND ME team also includes people with lived experience of the condition, who suggested creating resources for children and have an input in how the research is designed and delivered. The comic has been launched as part of resources for family carers. 

Children are often overlooked in conversations about dementia.

We created this comic in collaboration with the students to provide children with a way to understand what dementia is and how it can affect someone they care about.
Research shows that involving family members as equal partners in care leads to better outcomes for people with dementia. 
By supporting young people to understand dementia and remain connected to their relatives, we can help people to maintain the relationships that matter most to them.

Professor Emma Wolverson from the University of West London, who is leading the FIND ME project

This project allowed me to learn about the increasing need for dementia awareness and the importance of these helpful resources, not only for those with dementia, but for their families and loved ones as well.

Matilda Jones, another Plymouth student who worked on the comic
The FIND ME study is ongoing and final results are due to be published in summer 2027 providing new knowledge on how to support carers and improve the care of people with dementia in mental health wards across the UK. 

Real-life industry experience 

In addition to the comic, students delivered an animation for FIND ME, entitled Journeys to admission, visualising some of the stories told by the Inpatient Dementia Experience Group.

I initially got involved in the project as I was particularly interested in representing young-onset dementia, which was underrepresented in terms of exposure to the general public.

As a team we all agreed that animation was a way to get younger audiences interested and as such learn more about other people's experiences. I made the first section of the animation which involved multiple transitions in monochrome.
The biggest takeaway I got from this project was the importance of time management is role into creating something like a group animated project. I am very used to creating things solo, so this was a new and interesting experience.
Ieuan Weare, Illustration student who worked on the animation

Alongside developing students’ illustration skills, we ensure they have opportunities to connect with industry and work on real-world projects.

Contemporary illustration offers a wide range of established and emerging career pathways, and we support students in shaping a future that reflects their interests, whether that’s commissioned industry work, authorial practice, or participation in funded research projects.
This project is a great example of how our teaching is shaped by active research. It builds on our ongoing work exploring authorial illustration research methods through interdisciplinary, collaborative and participatory approaches to creative practice. 
We first connected with FIND ME through a University of Plymouth Arts and Health-funded research project involving illustration, nursing and dementia studies, creating a valuable opportunity for students to engage with a live brief and see how illustration can contribute to positive social impact.
I’m delighted to see how they rose to the challenge, responding thoughtfully to client feedback and helping to create a product that has the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives.

John KilburnMr John Kilburn
BA Illustration Year 2 Coordinator

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