Challenges, Solutions and Innovation in Dementia

Transforming the lives of people with dementia

One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia. In England in 2012, 670,000 people have dementia. This number will double in the next 30 years. Among the over-55s, dementia is feared more than any other illness and at an estimated 23 billion pounds a year, the cost to our economy is huge. It is estimated that this is higher than the costs of cancer, heart disease or stroke. 
Our research focuses on community attitudes and behaviour change towards individuals with dementia and their carers, inequalities and differences between urban and rural dementia-friendly communities, and the impact of interventions on the wellbeing of individuals with dementia and their carers. We also strive to improve regional, national and international policy for the benefit of those with dementia and their families.
Our work towards Dementia-friendly communities is part of the VOYAGE initiative that harnesses research and innovation in the field of ageing across the University of Plymouth and its many external partners.

Projects and News

Granddaughter and Grandmother walking in a garden. The Grandmother is using a walking aid. Cultivating neighbourhoods that care

2 hands holding D-PACT: Dementia PersonAlised Care Team

Getty. Brixham. Fishing community, maritime, marine, devon Dementia in the maritime community

Ian Sherriff with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Angela Rippon. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street ‘Put dementia on the agenda’ – Prime Minister endorses new guidance for town and parish councils

Dementia and farming University teams up with National Association of Local Councils for groundbreaking research on dementia

Ian Sherriff receiving his 'Outstanding Contribution of the Year' Dementia Friendly award from the Alzeimer's Society Leading figure in dementia care and research wins national award

Ian and Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon Dementia champion awarded British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Ian Sherriff stood with members of the Sale Sharks Rugby Club Dementia expert helps Premiership rugby players become Dementia Friends

Ian Sherriff (left) with HRH the Countess of Wessex and Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB, Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK Blind veterans charity to benefit from Plymouth’s research expertise

Aeroplane flying over the sea, marked with A3XX-100 Report shows progress of UK airports in helping people with hidden disabilities

International connections

Who's involved?

Ian Sherriff

As Academic Partnership Lead for Dementia at the University of Plymouth Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Ian Sherriff has been involved in regional, national and international projects designed to improve the lives of people with dementia and their families. His work includes an ambition to help communities become more dementia-friendly and a passion for helping rural communities to better support people with dementia. Ian was appointed as Ambassador by the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia support and research charity in 2016.
Jeremy Hughes, Vice Chair and Trustee, World Dementia Council said:
“Ian has been, and remains, one of the foremost champions for our cause. We are therefore delighted to welcome Ian as a new member of our Ambassador team. The knowledge and experience that he brings is invaluable and over the years he has built up significant networks with people with dementia and their carers and families, volunteers, politicians, journalists, academics and health and social care professionals."
Ian Sherriff

Conversations with Ian Sherriff, BEM


From the Fleet Air Arm to Social Work and Dementia - Ian never stops! Learn how he made Plymouth an award-winning dementia friendly city and much more as he speaks with Jeremy Hughes.

Coming Back to Me

Written by poet Karen Hayes, using lines contributed by people whose lives have been touched by dementia; read here by researchers, poets and supporters of the National Memory Day Project.

At the launch of National Memory Day, we asked you to create a poem inspired by your own experiences of dementia. The first line was contributed by Sir Andrew Motion, President of National Memory Day and former Poet Laureate.

This is what you created.