Who are we?
The Dementia Community Research Network (DCRN) is a team of community, public and research partners from across South London, working together for better dementia care. We are connected through our shared goal to improve care for all people affected by dementia by giving opportunities for people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to be involved in research
DCRN will continue to strive to be the best in the community with the research knowledge and continue to support organisations and everyone affected by dementia
DCRN community partner
Who are our members?
The DCRN comprises:
- Public partners: Members of the public with lived experience.
- Community partners: Community support groups for people affected by dementia across south London.
- Research partners: Dementia researchers from different universities across south London.
Here is a list of organisations and groups currently involved in the DCRN:
Who supports the DCRN?
We are grateful for the initial funds and ongoing support of the NIHR Applied Research Collaborative (ARC) South London.
What do we do?
Working together, we produce research that has the potential to improve care for people affected by dementia.
We know there are barriers that can limit opportunities for people from marginalised groups to be involved in research. Therefore, we work to bridge the divide between researchers and people affected by dementia, specifically those from ethnic minority communities.
Together, we ensure research is grounded in the realities of living with dementia, from the perspectives of people who are often underserved in health and social care. We work together to share research findings with policy makers who can bring about positive change.
We must make sure people of all backgrounds are given opportunity to be involved in high-quality dementia research, so we can make sure that people of all backgrounds can receive high-quality dementia care.
DCRN research partner
What do we aim to do?
- Provide a safe and engaging space for people affected by dementia to be involved in research.
- Develop a well-designed and supported Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group to better engage people affected by dementia from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Offer opportunities for training, personal development and sharing knowledge between community partners, people affected by dementia, and dementia researchers.
Why is this important?
The number of people with dementia from ethnic minority communities is expected to increase seven times by 2060. Research can help improve access to dementia services and improve the quality of dementia care, but opportunities for people from ethnic minority communities to be meaningfully involved in dementia research are lacking. This must change.
The DCRN is committed to making this change by working together to create a safe space for people from all backgrounds to engage in dementia research.
It’s important for it stands as a baseline for community network, support, resources, and connection with organisations, and those impacted with dementia
DCRN community partner
Our current projects
Please revisit later for an update.
DCRN engagement event
To promote the work of the DCRN, we will be holding our first engagement event on:
Date: Thursday 9 May 2024
Time: 2-4pm
Where: The Boardroom, King’s College Hospital
This event will include exhibitions and information tables, you will be able to speak to our community, public and research partners about their work.
The event is free to attend and there will be light refreshments available. You can also find out more about the DCRN and how you could get involved in dementia research.
Find out more about the event here or email: DCRN@kcl.ac.uk
Interested in joining the network?
Whether you are personally affected by dementia, a member of a community group supporting people with dementia, or a dementia care researcher based in south London, you are welcome to join the DCRN.
To find out more, please email DCRN co-ordinators and research partners, Annabel Farnood, Olivia Luijnenburg and Lesley Williamson on: DCRN@kcl.ac.uk
[I joined for] the support for information, empowerment, education and specialised research tailored to meet the need of the under-represented groups and in general people living and impacted with dementia
DCRN community partner
Images by the: Age-Positive Image Library