Gill Windle (BSc; MSc; PhD) is a Chartered Psychologist and Gerontologist who specialises in interdisciplinary research. She is the Director of DSDC Wales and the Associate Director of the Wales Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR). Gill’s research aims to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of older people, people with dementia and their supporters, and improve care and service provision.

Gill leads and contributes to mixed-methods studies and intervention trials, and has led and contributed to externally won research funding totalling £19,858,090.00, representing £10,464,912.00 from UK Research Councils (ERSC; MRC; AHRC),  £7,142,988.00 from Welsh Government research infrastructure awards and £ 2,102,190.00 from other sources including the Wellcome Trust. Her most research achievement is the award of £1,480,000.00 from the National Institute of Health Research to lead a randomised controlled trial of a digital health intervention ‘iSupport’ to help dementia carers develop skills and take care of themselves.

Her work has informed Welsh policy development, and in 2001 as a post-graduate research assistant she co-authored six literature reviews with Professor Vanessa Burholt to inform the development of the first Strategy for Older People in Wales. She also led a review to inform the Healthy Ageing Action Plan (Welsh Assembly Government 2005). Following her PhD in 2006, she was seconded to the Older People’s Strategy Unit at the Welsh Assembly Government during the 2006/07 interim review period of the strategy, and was a member of the Strategy Advisory Group.

Between 2016 and 2018 she was a member of the Welsh Government dementia strategy task and finish group, and is currently a member of a Welsh Government group overseeing the implementation and impact of the dementia strategy. As part of this work, she is involved in two working groups (implementation of dementia care standards; learning and development), and the North Wales dementia strategy implementation steering group.

In recognition of her work she was awarded a personal chair by Bangor University in 2018.

REF 2021

Gill's individual research outputs were submitted into the UoA3 REF assessment which contributed to the submission being ranked 15th overall in the UK. 95% of this submission was classified as world leading or internationally excellent. Her interdisciplinary research led to the submission of a REF 2021 impact case study ‘Innovations in Dementia Care’ https://www.bangor.ac.uk/ref-2021#3

Current research projects include the following topics: 

  • Leading the development of a conceptual framework of resilience for people living with dementia
  • Leading the development of the first outcome measure of resilience for people living with dementia
  • Leading a programme of work including an RCT examining a technology developed by the World Health Organisation 'iSupport for dementia carers'

Please look at the research themes here http://dsdc.bangor.ac.uk/research.php.en

Current PhD projects:

Bethan Naughton Morgan. 'Adapting an e-health intervention i-Support for carers of people living with rare dementias. (ESRC studentship).

Laura Braithwaite Stuart. 'Exploring communication in dementia: An intergenerational family systems approach'. (NHS studentship).

Hannah Jelly. 'Co-Creating a resilience-building framework for people with dementia and their carers’. (HCRW social care studentship).

I'm particularly interested in highly motivated, output-focussed people who are interested in health, wellbeing and resilience in later life; interventions to support older people and their carers to age well;  living as well as possible with chronic and degenerative health conditions, such as dementia.

2023 - Excellent MSc project opportunties! Secondary analysis of existing data (quantitative) - topics include i) hearing loss, cognitive function and the links with loneliness; ii) resilience in carers of people living with rare dementias; iii) validation of an established resilience outcome measure for use with dementia carers.

There are also possible opportunities within my recent grant which is looking at supporting people living with dementia, including those with rare dementias.

Please look at our research themes http://dsdc.bangor.ac.uk/research.php.en

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

  • PublishedAdaptation of an e-health intervention ‘iSupport’ for carers of people living with rarer dementias
    Naunton Morgan, B. & Windle, G., 18 Dec 2021.
    Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
  • PublishedA longitudinal exploration of mental health resilience, cognitive impairment and loneliness
    Windle, G., Hoare, Z., Woods, B., Huisman, M. & Burholt, V., Jul 2021, In: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 36, 7, p. 1020-1028 9 p.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedCommon variants in Alzheimer’s disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores
    de Rojas, I., Moreno-Grau, S., Tesi, N., Grenier-Boley, B., Andrade, V., Jansen, I. E., Pedersen, N. L., Stringa, N., Zettergren, A., Hernández, I., Montrreal, L., Antúnez, C., Antonell, A., Tankard, R. M., Bis, J. C., Sims, R., Bellenguez, C., Quintela, I., González-Perez, A. & Calero, M. & 283 others, Franco-Macías, E., Macías, J., Blesa, R., Cervera-Carles, L., Menéndez-González, M., Frank-García, A., Royo, J. L., Moreno, F., Huerto Vilas, R., Baquero, M., Diez-Fairen, M., Lage, C., García-Madrona, S., García-González, P., Alarcón-Martín, E., Valero, S., Sotolongo-Grau, O., Ullgren, A., Naj, A. C., Lemstra, A. W., Benaque, A., Pérez-Cordón, A., Benussi, A., Rábano, A., Padovani, A., Squassina, A., de Mendonça, A., Arias Pastor, A., Kok, A. A. L., Meggy, A., Pastor, A. B., Espinosa, A., Corma-Gómez, A., Martín Montes, A., Sanabria, Á., DeStefano, A. L., Schneider, A., Haapasalo, A., Kinhult Ståhlbom, A., Tybjærg-Hansen, A., Hartmann, A. M., Spottke, A., Corbatón-Anchuelo, A., Rongve, A., Borroni, B., Arosio, B., Nacmias, B., Nordestgaard, B. G., Kunkle, B. W., Charbonnier, C., Abdelnour, C., Masullo, C., Martínez Rodríguez, C., Muñoz-Fernandez, C., Dufouil, C., Graff, C., Ferreira, C. B., Chillotti, C., Reynolds, C. A., Fenoglio, C., Van Broeckhoven, C., Clark, C., Pisanu, C., Satizabal, C. L., Holmes, C., Buiza-Rueda, D., Aarsland, D., Rujescu, D., Alcolea, D., Galimberti, D., Wallon, D., Seripa, D., Grünblatt, E., Dardiotis, E., Düzel, E., Scarpini, E., Conti, E., Rubino, E., Gelpi, E., Rodriguez-Rodriguez, E., Duron, E., Boerwinkle, E., Ferri, E., Tagliavini, F., Küçükali, F., Pasquier, F., Sanchez-Garcia, F., Mangialasche, F., Jessen, F., Nicolas, G., Selbæk, G., Ortega, G., Chêne, G., Hadjigeorgiou, G., Rossi, G., Spalletta, G., Giaccone, G., Grande, G., Binetti, G., Papenberg, G., Hampel, H., Bailly, H., Zetterberg, H., Soininen, H., Karlsson, I. K., Alvarez, I., Appollonio, I., Giegling, I., Skoog, I., Saltvedt, I., Rainero, I., Rosas Allende, I., Hort, J., Diehl-Schmid, J., Van Dongen, J., Vidal, J.-S., Lehtisalo, J., Wiltfang, J., Thomassen, J. Q., Kornhuber, J., Haines, J. L., Vogelgsang, J., Pineda, J. A., Fortea, J., Popp, J., Deckert, J., Buerger, K., Morgan, K., Fließbach, K., Sleegers, K., Molina-Porcel, L., Kilander, L., Weinhold, L., Farrer, L. A., Wang, L.-S., Kleineidam, L., Farotti, L., Parnetti, L., Tremolizzo, L., Hausner, L., Benussi, L., Froelich, L., Ikram, M. A., Deniz-Naranjo, M. C., Tsolaki, M., Rosende-Roca, M., Löwenmark, M., Hulsman, M., Spallazzi, M., Pericak-Vance, M. A., Esiri, M., Bernal Sánchez-Arjona, M., Dalmasso, M. C., Martínez-Larrad, M. T., Arcaro, M., Nöthen, M. M., Fernández-Fuertes, M., Dichgans, M., Ingelsson, M., Herrmann, M. J., Scherer, M., Vyhnalek, M., Kosmidis, M. H., Yannakoulia, M., Schmid, M., Ewers, M., Heneka, M. T., Wagner, M., Scamosci, M., Kivipelto, M., Hiltunen, M., Zulaica, M., Alegret, M., Fornage, M., Roberto, N., van Schoor, N. M., Seidu, N. M., Banaj, N., Armstrong, N. J., Scarmeas, N., Scherbaum, N., Goldhardt, O., Hanon, O., Peters, O., Skrobot, O. A., Quenez, O., Lerch, O., Bossù, P., Caffarra, P., Dionigi Rossi, P., Sakka, P., Hoffmann, P., Holmans, P. A., Fischer, P., Riederer, P., Yang, Q., Marshall, R., Kalaria, R. N., Mayeux, R., Vandenberghe, R., Cecchetti, R., Ghidoni, R., Frikke-Schmidt, R., Sorbi, S., Hägg, S., Engelborghs, S., Helisalmi, S., Botne Sando, S., Kern, S., Archetti, S., Boschi, S., Fostinelli, S., Gil, S., Mendoza, S., Mead, S., Ciccone, S., Djurovic, S., Heilmann-Heimbach, S., Riedel-Heller, S., Kuulasmaa, T., del Ser, T., Lebouvier, T., Polak, T., Ngandu, T., Grimmer, T., Bessi, V., Escott-Price, V., Giedraitis, V., Deramecourt, V., Maier, W., Jian, X., Pijnenburg, Y. A. L., Smith, A. D., Saenz, A., Bizzarro, A., Lauria, A., Vacca, A., Solomon, A., Anastasiou, A., Richardson, A., Boland, A., Koivisto, A., Daniele, A., Greco, A., Marianthi, A., McGuinness, B., Fin, B., Ferrari, C., Custodero, C., Ferrarese, C., Ingino, C., Mangone, C., Reyes Toso, C., Martínez, C., Cuesta, C., Muchnik, C., Joachim, C., Ortiz, C., Besse, C., Johansson, C., Zoia, C. P., Laske, C., Anastasiou, C., Palacio, D. L., Politis, D. G., Janowitz, D., Craig, D., Mann, D. M., Neary, D., Jürgen, D., Daian, D., Belezhanska, D., Kohler, E., Castaño, E. M., Koutsouraki, E., Chipi, E., De Roeck, E., Costantini, E., Vardy, E. R. L. C., contributors, E., MacLeod, C., Woods, B. & Windle, G., 7 Jun 2021, In: Nature Communications. 12, 1, 3417.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedLiving in a care home during COVID-19: A case study of one person living with dementia
    Davies Abbott, I., Jones, C. H. & Windle, G., 10 Dec 2021, In: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults. 22, 3-4, p. 147-158
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedRare dementia support in rural and remote areas
    Windle, G., Roberts, J. & Sullivan, M. P., Jan 2021, In: Journal of Dementia Care. 29, 1, p. 22-24
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
  • PublishedResilience in Later Life: Responding to Criticisms and Applying New Knowledge to the Experience of Dementia
    Windle, G., 1 Mar 2021, Resilience and Aging. Emerging Science and Future Possibilities. . Wister, A. & Cosco, T. D. (eds.). 1 ed. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, Vol. 1. p. 31-49 19 p.
    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

2020

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2001

2025

  • Meeting of the Caban Group

    The Caban Group of people living with dementia and their carers supported by DSDC in the School of Health Sciences to share their expertise in our R&D and Teaching. Eight members of the group attended the University to share their thoughts on how we might evaluate 'Knowledge is Power' - a booklet co-produced with them that is part of a REF 2029 impact case study.

    10 Jun 2025

    Links:

    Activity: Other (Contributor)
  • Alzheimer's Society Grant Advisory Board Member

    Alzheimer's Society Grant Advisory Board Member

    30 Apr 2025 →

    Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor)
  • The importance of unpaid carers to health and social care delivery.

    A seminar delivered by DSDC in the School of Health Sciences, presenting some of the latest research which focusses on supporting unpaid carers. The programme contained:

    • Welcome and introduction to the seminar –Professor Gill Windle, Director of DSDC and Director of Research Impact, School of Health Sciences.

    • Willingness to care: what is it and does it matter? – Professor Val Morrison, School of Psychology and Sports Sciences.

    • Short Breaks: What a Difference a Break Makes – Dr Diane Seddon, Reader in Social Care and Director of Research, School of Health Sciences.

    • Sustaining couplehood in the face of dementia – Marine Markaryan, visiting PhD student, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

    10 Mar 2025

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)

2024

  • Wales Dementia Conference 2024: A Collaborative Success for a Better Future in Dementia Care

    The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) successfully hosted the Wales Dementia Conference 2024 in Deganwy as part of the 25th anniversary of the DSDC celebrations.

    Over 90 delegates from across Wales engaged in discussions about the future of dementia care and support. The conference brought together people living with dementia, carers, researchers, health and care professionals, emphasising the importance of collaboration in shaping better care.

    A key highlight of the day was the launch of the Knowledge is Power for Carers booklet, a resource created by carers for carers, supported by DSDC researchers, available in both Welsh and English. This essential guide provides crucial information to those supporting individuals living with dementia and was well-received by attendees.

    A diverse range of presenters delivered insightful talks, including the Welsh Ambulance Trust, NHS, Dementia Hub Swansea, with people living with dementia and their carers sharing their experiences throughout the day while attendees contributed to discussions on improving dementia services. The bilingual conference ensured accessibility, with simultaneous translation headsets provided for participants.

    Gill Windle, Professor of Ageing and Dementia Research, said, “This was another excellent event designed and delivered by the DSDC team. Feedback from delegates indicates they enjoyed the wide variety of presentations where we heard about excellent service innovations such as transforming ambulances, using national museums to support wellbeing, understanding a person’s life story to enable people in care homes to eat and drink well, the importance of the Welsh language in dementia care, the benefits of arts activities and movement to music, which included all the delegates taking part in a reviving session led by Gwynedd Council’s Dementia Actif team. We heard throughout the day from people with dementia and their carers about their experiences, including Bangor’s own Caban Group, which delegates found especially important. It was also a great opportunity to share our latest research and all the different products our work has inspired.”

    The Knowledge is Power booklet will soon be available on the DSDC website. For hard copies please contact Dr. Jen Roberts: j.roberts@bangor.ac.uk

    18 Sep 2024

    Links:

    Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)

2023

2022

2021

  • Working together under the OneHealth approach

    Interdisciplinary workshops - Global Challenges Research Fund

    Working together under the OneHealth approach

    The overall aim of these workshops was for them to act as a path to establish collaborative interdisciplinary research working groups under the WHO One Health approach. More specifically these workshops aimed to:

    - Be an opportunity to share knowledge/expertise between the UK and Brazilian researchers already working in this interdisciplinary area (environment-art-health).

    - Identify research links to the OneHealth agenda, closely linked to addressing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) (SDG3, Good Health and Well-being; SDG10, Reduced Inequality; SDG11, Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG14 Life underwater)

    - Develop a pathway for future collaborations under the OneHealth/Agenda 2030 global agendas.

    1 May 2021 – 15 Jun 2021

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Member of programme committee)
  • North Wales Social Care and Wellbeing Service Improvement Collaborative (External organisation)

    Member of the North Wales Dementia Strategy Steering Group

    2021 – 2022

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)
  • Social Care Wales (External organisation)

    Member of working group (dementia care learning and development)

    2021 – 2022

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)
  • UKRI ESRC Inclusive Ageing Funding Committee (External organisation)

    Funding committee member

    2021 – 2022

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)
  • Welsh Government (External organisation)

    Working group: implementation of the dementia care standards

    2021 – 2022

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)
  • World Health Organization (External organisation)

    Member of World Health Organisation iSupport for dementia carers international network.

    2021 →

    Activity: Membership of network (Chair)

2020

2019

2018

  • The arts for enhancing practice in the dementia care workforce

    18 Oct 2018

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
  • Welsh Government (External organisation)

    Academic member (research) to the Dementia Strategy Oversight and Implementation Group (current)

    1 Aug 2018 – 31 Dec 2024

    Activity: Membership of board (Member)
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Collaboration with EGMO+ medical center, Vu University, Amsterdam on resilience research

    15 Jun 2018 – 19 Jun 2018

    Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher)
  • Dementia in the asylum

    Dementia in the asylum

    https://wellcomecollection.org/events/dementia-asylum

    This is a workshop that I organised as part of my role with 'Created out of Mind' at the Wellcome Collection.

    2 Jan 2018

    Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)

2017

  • Creative Economies Healthcare Hub (Event)

    Advisory group member to the AHRC funded project ‘Co-Designing a Creative Economy Healthcare Hub’ I provide expertise around arts and health research applied to dementia care.

    1 Sep 2017 – 22 Dec 2017

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)
  • Measuring well-being in arts and dementia research

    [Delivered as part of the 1st International Arts & Dementia Research Conference, Royal Society for Public Health.] This workshop introduced delegates to the method of structured observation. This does not rely on the people living with dementia, their carers or indeed the researcher, to recall feelings and details, and enables a way of quantitately capturing 'in the moment' reactions that might otherwise be overlooked, or prove difficult to articulate.

    10 Mar 2017

    Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker)
  • Alzheimer's Society London (External organisation)

    Member of the Alzheimer’s Society's taskforce identifying the research priorities and developing the future strategy for dementia research in the UK and beyond.

    1 Jan 2017 – 30 Nov 2017

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)

2016

2014

2013

2011

2007

2006

  • Welsh Assembly (External organisation)

    Secondment to Welsh Assembly; Member of Task and Finish Group, developing phase 2 of the Strategy for Older People in Wales

    2006 – 2007

    Activity: Membership of committee (Member)

  • HCRW Senior Research Leader

    01/04/2025 – 15/04/2028 (Active)

  • An approach for dementia care practitioners to support carers and people with dementia (scoping study)

    01/01/2023 – 22/08/2023 (Finished)

  • An approach for dementia care practitioners to support carers and people with dementia (scoping study)

    01/01/2023 – 22/08/2023 (Finished)

  • iSupport (A randomised controlled trial & feasibility study of the effects of an e-health intervention ‘iSupport’ for reducing distress of dementia carers, especially in the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.

    01/01/2021 – 30/06/2025 (Finished)

    Description

    NHS guidelines recommend informal carers of people living with dementia such as family and friends should be offered training to help them develop care skills and manage their own physical and mental health. The World Health Organisation recommend access to affordable, proven, well-designed, online technologies for education, skills training and support for dementia carers.

    In response to these recommendations, we will carry out the first study in the UK of the benefits of an online training and support programme. This was developed by the World Health Organisation and is called ‘iSupport’. It is designed for dementia carers to help them provide good care and take care of themselves. Carers can use iSupport at their own pace. They can access whichever parts of iSupport they feel are most relevant to them from their place of choice using a computer, tablet or smartphone.

    We will do this research with the help of 356 dementia carers in England, Wales and Scotland by:

    1. Examining the effectiveness of iSupport in reducing distress through a randomised controlled trial. Half of the carers will complete iSupport and half will receive information leaflets. We will translate iSupport into Welsh for use in this aspect of our research. All the carers will answer questionnaires about stress and strain, mental health, resilience and knowledge of dementia. They will do this three times over a six month period. By comparing the two groups, we will be able to show whether iSupport is better than simply giving information. Those receiving the information leaflets will be given full access to iSupport at the end of our study.

    2. Understanding what aspects of iSupport carers like the most, and what might put them off using it. We will undertake interviews with a smaller group (50) of the carers and have a longer discussion about their thoughts, feelings and the impact of iSupport on themselves. They will do this three times over a six month period.

    3. Examining the potential costs and benefits of iSupport. This will involve carers answering questions about health and social care service use and their quality of life. They will do this three times over a six month period.

    4. Adapting iSupport for young carers (age 11-17). There are currently no evidence-based support interventions for young carers of people with dementia. We will work with a group of young carers and adapt iSupport for their use, identify what outcomes are most important to them, and assess this new version of iSupport with 30 young carers.

    It is important we do this work because most people living with a dementia are cared for at home, supported by a family member or friend who has limited knowledge of the condition. The role is very stressful, and many carers experience more mental and physical illness compared to people who are not dementia carers. Covid-19 has meant that many older people have to self-isolate, placing

    increasing pressures on carers.

    If we show iSupport helps carers, service providers will benefit by knowing there is a proven service they can recommend to dementia carers. Carers will benefit from reductions in psychological distress and improvements in skills and resilience. People living with dementia will benefit from a better equipped carer. Society will potentially benefit from reduced care costs, as improving care at home can delay care-home admission.

    From the very start of the study, we will develop a comprehensive plan for ensuring our findings are communicated to people who need to hear about them. We will do this together with our collaborators, who include people living with dementia, carers, as well as academics, clinicians, charities along with the World Health Organisation.

    Key findings

    Work in progress

  • CADR (Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research)

    01/04/2020 – 30/06/2025 (Finished)

    Description

    The Centre for Ageing & Dementia Research (CADR) will cultivate an integrated research Centre in Wales delivering world-class interdisciplinary and translational research and nurture the development of a critical mass of researchers with expertise and competencies in a holistic (eco-bio-psycho-social) approach to research on ageing. Eco: The physical environment in which we live encompassing mobility (transport systems), the natural world (aesthetics, climate, natural resources), the built environment (rural/urban neighbourhoods, homes/housing). Bio: The body as a biological system including brain, disease, injury. Psycho: Cognitive processes (thinking) that influence the way experiences are interpreted. Social: The cultural, social and community systems1 of interacting people(s) with different levels of access, privilege and power. Importance of CADR Our new approach is underpinned by the World Health Organization’s (2015) definition of healthy ageing. Every person […] should have the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. Yet, […] environments are highly influential on our behaviour, our exposure to health risks […], our access to quality health and social care and the opportunities that ageing brings. Healthy Ageing is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. CADR’s strength is our holistic approach to addressing a societal ‘grand challenge’ and the opportunities posed by longevity. We aim to improve the lives of older people and carers through the integration of research on ageing, policy and practice. Our outputs will respond to national and global priority areas for unmet need: improving opportunities to live a long and healthy life; improving health and social care systems (including long-term care); creating age friendly environments; and helping to diminish the impact of dementia. Our work will be delivered through 4 interlinked work packages (WPs): WP1: Environments of Ageing (Eco) WP2: Characterising dementia and cognition in ageing (Bio) WP3: Social inclusion for health and wellbeing in later life (Psycho and Social) WP4: Research methods, public and professional engagement and involvement Strategic Objectives We will generate new knowledge by: Including health and social care services Forging a shared mission to deliver an interdisciplinary understanding of ageing and dementia Providing the infrastructure to enable leading researchers in ageing and dementia research to compete globally Developing and building research capacity underpinning increased grant capture, establishing essential research resources, novel skills and technologies, and building critical mass for PhD students and early career researchers Providing a platform for collaborations and internationally competitive interdisciplinary and translational research that will have impact on the health and wellbeing of older people To address health and social care needs of older people in Wales we will:  Involve and engage the public to ensure that research addresses the needs of older people, people with dementia and carers  Facilitate translation of eco-bio-psycho-social findings into clinical and social care practice  Involve and engage policy makers and practitioners, establishing research priorities and collaborations and working with them to improve services for older people  Develop and facilitate business and clinical linkages, contributing to the health and wealth of Wales as well as enhancing the Life Science sector

  • The impact of peer support networks for those living with rare dementias

    01/01/2019 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

    Description

    We will carry out the first major study of the value of support groups for people living with or caring for someone with a rare form of dementia. 1)WS1 [Retrospective Cohort Study]. Understanding the problems faced and care received through a retrospective cohort study of >1000 current and historical members to create the first mapping of abilities, challenges, care needs, care events, and health and care resource use (including informal/familial care) in the rarer dementias across all stages of dementia.2)WS2 [Theoretical development]. Identifying the ‘active ingredients’ of support groups through theoretical development. Mixed-methods including (i) literature review using the principles of realist synthesis; (ii) situational analysis and focussed ethnographic work involving a sub-sampling of members; (iii) analysis of WS1 interview dataset; and (iv) iterative construction of general Theory of Change (ToC) and nested sub-theories.3)WS3 [Measures]. Optimising and innovating measure selection and development We will review existing relevant concepts and measures iteratively as WS2 theory develops. We will identify a primary measure of effect (e.g. DEMQOL, Smith et al., 2007) to enable exploratory cost effectiveness. We will develop and test a resilience outcome measure suitable for different forms of dementia.4)WS4 [Prospective longitudinal cohort study]. Evaluating the impact and pathways to impact of multi-component support groups on new members through a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Mixed methods to evaluate how membership and degree of involvement are associated with outcomes at 6-monthly intervals.5) WS5 [Intervention development]. Theory-driven design and feasibility testing of a new, online multicomponent support intervention for carers of people living with FTD.6)WS6 [Economic analysis]. Investigating cost effectiveness through economic analysis7)PhD studentships 8)Embedded case studies in rural Wales and Canada will explore aspects such as rural living which may support or exacerbate the experience of living with dementia.

  • KESS II MRes with Dementia Go- BUK2157

    01/08/2018 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

  • Co-creating a resilience building framework for people living with dementia and their carers

    01/01/2018 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

  • Evaluation of Psychosocial Support of the transition to retirement’ (Evaluation of TILL Phase 2)

    01/12/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

  • In memoriâ and the Imagination café

    15/11/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

  • Enhancing resilience and quality of life through arts and science research

    01/11/2016 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

  • Created out of mind:changing perceptions of dementia through art & culture

    03/10/2016 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

    Description

    Created Out of Mind is a team aiming to explore, challenge and shape perceptions and understanding of dementias through science and the creative arts. The team will explore what dementia means to us all, challenge traditional definitions and common misconceptions, and unlock what we can learn about art, consciousness and the brain from the experiences of people living with different the dementias.

    Launched in October 2016, and working over a period of 22 months, Created out of Mind are the second residents of The Hub- a unique, creative space at Wellcome Collection in London. Starting with people with dementias, Created out of Mind is an interdisciplinary team of scientists, visual artists, musicians, broadcasters, clinicians and carers.

    Links:

  • Created out of mind:changing perceptions of dementia through art & culture

    03/10/2016 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

    Description

    Created Out of Mind is a team aiming to explore, challenge and shape perceptions and understanding of dementias through science and the creative arts. The team will explore what dementia means to us all, challenge traditional definitions and common misconceptions, and unlock what we can learn about art, consciousness and the brain from the experiences of people living with different the dementias.

    Launched in October 2016, and working over a period of 22 months, Created out of Mind are the second residents of The Hub- a unique, creative space at Wellcome Collection in London. Starting with people with dementias, Created out of Mind is an interdisciplinary team of scientists, visual artists, musicians, broadcasters, clinicians and carers.

    Links:

  • Alzheimers Europe Carers' Survey

    01/04/2016 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

  • Imagining Dementia Supportive Communities through the Arts

    01/02/2016 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

  • CADR (Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research)

    01/04/2015 – 15/03/2021 (Finished)

    Links:

  • ‘Try Something New’ evaluation

    01/02/2015 – 31/07/2015 (Finished)

  • Dementia and Imagination showcase 2014

    01/06/2014 – 25/08/2016 (Finished)

  • NHS Service Support for r26R06 Dementia & Imagination project

    01/04/2014 – 22/07/2015 (Finished)

  • Cadwyn Môn Evaluation

    01/11/2013 – 31/10/2016 (Finished)

    Links:

  • OPERAT (Older People’s External Residential Assessment Tool)

    01/10/2013 – 06/05/2016 (Finished)

    Links:

  • Dementia and imagination showcase 2013

    01/08/2013 – 11/11/2013 (Finished)

  • Dementia and Imagination

    01/07/2013 – 17/08/2018 (Finished)

  • NHS Service Support for r26011 Lifestyle Matters project

    01/04/2012 – 29/02/2016 (Finished)

  • Dementia and Imagination

    01/02/2012 – 22/03/2013 (Finished)

    Links:

  • Lifestyle Matters

    01/12/2011 – 08/08/2016 (Finished)

    Links:

  • Lifestyle Matters

    01/12/2011 – 30/11/2015 (Finished)

  • Challenges and Healthy Ageing:the role of resilience across the life course (ResNet)

    01/05/2009 – 23/07/2010 (Finished)

    Description

    Funded through the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Cross-Council Programme, the network aimed to:

    Unite and build upon previous work and existing evidence undertaken on resilience, and strengthen this with new perspectives and collaborations, thereby enhancing research capacity and development. It will develop a research, knowledge transfer and dissemination strategy and subsequent research bids that reflect a multi-disciplinary life course perspective to healthy ageing. This will be conducted using an approach that will increase the potential of knowledge transfer throughout the process. This will generate new knowledge for research, policy and practice on the multi-layered complexities of the ageing process and resilience which cannot be understood from a single disciplinary perspective.

    Links:

  • MRC network: A model to guide investment in older people¿s mental capital, mental health and wellbeing

    01/05/2009 – 31/07/2011 (Finished)

  • Promotong Well-Being Of Older People

    19/02/2007 – 06/03/2008 (Finished)