Explore the lived experience of Dementia Friends Champions: Poetic representation

There are over 850,000 people living with Dementia in the United Kingdom and the number is predicted to rise to one million by 2025 (Alzheimer’s Society, 2014). The Dementia Friends initiative was started to provide information sessions to raise awareness, reduce stigma associated with living with Dementia, promote social inclusion and develop dementia friendly communities. Dementia Friends Champions (DFC’s) are volunteers who deliver information sessions about the impact of dementia with the aim of turning understanding into action (Alzheimer’s Society, 2015). Reflecting on the experiences of DFC’s provides an opportunity to hear experiences, concerns, questions, fears, beliefs, values and perspectives about what dementia means in the twenty first century. Aims: The research aims to bring an original contribution by exploring the lived experience of volunteer DFC’s to promote social action, develop the dementia friends provision and promote inclusion for individuals living with dementia. Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological research design is being undertaken. Sample: Eleven DFC’s were recruited from the London region using purposive sampling. Method: Semi structured interviews were undertaken. Analysis: Interpretative phenomenological analysis is being undertaken. Research poetry is being produced by the researcher including found poetry from the transcripts and generated poetry from the researcher’s insights from the research. Implications for practice: The qualitative research will be disseminated in academic publications, oral and poster presentations. The research poetry will be presented in different arenas, through publication, presentations, poetry reading, conferences and workshops. Empowering the person living with dementia requires an informed, caring, inclusive and dementia friendly community and society. References Alzheimer’s Society (2015) Dementia Friends https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ Alzheimer’s Society (2014) Dementia UK: 2nd ed. London: Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=341