Taking dementia innovation and insights to the next level will be on the agenda this July with the launch of a new community forum.
The Dementia Coproduction Forum will be supported by the University’s Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC) and led by Northamptonshire Carers; the news is being announced during this week’s Dementia Action Week.
One of the aims of the forum is to actively listen to and harness the views and voices of people with dementia, their carers and loved ones, and relevant organisations supporting people with dementia.
An information event to officially launch the Forum will be held on Wednesday 15 July, 9.30am-2pm in the Senate building at Waterside Campus The event is free and open to all who are interested in finding out more.
The Forum will also help shape the local dementia strategy currently being designed by Integrated Care Northamptonshire and expected to be launched this year.
The project is supported through the funding provided through the UON’s Public and Community Engagement fund; this has provided an £8,000 boost between November 2025 – July 2026 to enable the researchers to conduct public engagement activities to encourage underserved communities in Northamptonshire to engage with the Dementia Forum.
UON researcher Dr Natasha Bayes leads the project. Together with Professor Jackie Parkes and PhD researcher Claire Davies, they will co-host the Dementia Forum launch event. Natasha says: “We are delighted to announce the start of an exciting new chapter for listening, learning, and sharing ideas about dementia experiences and support.
“The University hopes to invest more time and resources in the Forum by closely working with organisations in the county to invite diverse communities to take an active role in its development and future impact.”
“If you are interested in attending and helping us shape the Forum and the impact it will have, please book a place and we would be grateful for you to share these details with anyone you think would also like to join.”