Alzheimer's Society

What Alzheimer's Society does

Alzheimer's Society is a national charity supporting people affected by all forms of dementia, not only Alzheimer's Disease. It funds research, campaigns for better care, and provides direct services to people with dementia and their families. It works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland has a sister charity, Alzheimer Scotland, with broadly equivalent services.

The Dementia Connect Support Line

The Dementia Connect Support Line is the single most useful first contact for anyone affected by dementia. Trained Dementia Advisors take calls Monday to Wednesday 9am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

• Phone: 0333 150 3456;
• Online chat: via the Alzheimer's Society website;
• Email: via the Alzheimer's Society contact form.

Advisors can help with information about the diagnosis, signposting to local services, benefits guidance, carer support, and emotional support.

Talking Point: online community

Talking Point is a moderated online community where people with dementia, carers, and families can share experiences, ask questions and find peer support. It is free to use and available 24 hours a day. For many carers, Talking Point is the most accessible form of peer support.

Singing for the Brain

Singing for the Brain runs in over 200 UK locations. Sessions are weekly, lasting about 90 minutes, and use vocal exercises and familiar songs in a friendly group setting. Singing engages breathing, communication, memory and emotion in ways that can be especially valuable for people with language difficulties, including Primary Progressive Aphasia. Carers attend with the person. A small donation is requested where possible.

Side by Side

Side by Side is a one-to-one befriending service that matches a trained volunteer with a person with dementia to support them in doing the things they enjoy: walking, gardening, listening to music, attending a community group. It supports independence and reduces isolation. Availability varies by region.

Dementia Cafes and groups

Local Dementia Cafes (often called Memory Cafes) are run by Alzheimer's Society and by other community organisations, generally weekly or fortnightly. They offer informal social contact in a relaxed setting, with the person with dementia and their carer welcome together. Cafes are usually free or ask only for a donation for refreshments.

Dementia Advisors and Companion Calls

Dementia Advisors offer one-to-one support over the phone or in person, helping families navigate the months and years after diagnosis. Companion Calls are regular telephone befriending calls for people living with dementia, particularly those who are housebound.

Information and publications

The Alzheimer's Society publishes a comprehensive library of free information on every aspect of dementia, including individual booklets on each dementia subtype, a magazine ('Dementia Together'), and a research newsletter. Hard copies can be ordered free of charge from the website.

How to find local services

The 'Dementia Directory' on the Alzheimer's Society website lists local services by postcode. The Dementia Connect Support Line can also signpost to local provision and to non-Alzheimer's-Society resources where these are stronger locally (Age UK, local Memory Cafes, NHS support).

How to support the charity

Alzheimer's Society relies on donations and fundraising. Most people who use the services do so without charge. Support can be given through one-off donations, regular giving, fundraising events (Memory Walk is the largest annual event), legacy giving, or by volunteering. Volunteering opportunities include befriending, group leadership, and office-based support.

Alzheimer's Society research

Alzheimer's Society is the UK's largest charitable funder of dementia research outside government, supporting work on prevention, diagnosis, care and a cure. It also runs Join Dementia Research, a free service that allows the public to register interest in taking part in dementia research studies; an estimated 25 per cent of UK dementia trial recruitment goes through Join Dementia Research.

Where The Dementia Service fits in

Alzheimer's Society and The Dementia Service work alongside each other. Alzheimer's Society is the national charity providing post-diagnostic support, community services, peer support and information. The Dementia Service is the UK's leading private memory clinic, providing diagnostic assessment, structured letters and prescribing. People often use both: an Alzheimer's Society Dementia Advisor for ongoing support, and a private memory clinic where speed of assessment, structured ICD-11 aligned reporting or a second opinion is wanted.