The community-led organisation Health for Life has been awarded £4,998,875 to deliver a five year initiative to strengthen community-based dementia support across the North, England and Wales.

The funding has been proved from the National Lottery Community Fund’s UK Fund, Connected Communities programme to deliver Sharing, Engaging & Empowering Dementia Support (SEEDS).

This builds on on the success of DEEDS (Dementia Engaged and Empowered with Dignity and Support), a pioneering community-led model originally developed in Derry.

The programme aims to help people living with dementia remain active, connected and independent within their communities while also supporting carers and families.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Uí Niallais pictured with delegates from DEEDS City and District Partnership at Tuesday's first gathering of Health for Life’s new SEEDS Dementia Support Programme in the Healthy Living Centre, Creggan. Included is National Lottery representative Tommy Carlin and the core DEEDS team. (Photos: JIm McCafferty Photography)

placeholder image — The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Uí Niallais pictured with delegates from DEEDS City and District Partnership at Tuesday's first gathering of Health for Life’s new SEEDS Dementia Support Programme in the Healthy Living Centre, Creggan. Included is National Lottery representative Tommy Carlin and the core DEEDS team. (Photos: JIm McCafferty Photography)

Through direct community support, organisational development and shared learning, SEEDS will strengthen local services, increase dementia awareness, encourage social connection and demonstrate how community-led approaches can improve wellbeing and influence future health and social care delivery. Over the lifetime of the programme, SEEDS aims to directly support more than 4,000 families and 400 volunteers.

Partner organisation from across the North, Wales and England recently took part in the first SEEDS gathering in Derry to share learning, build relationships and begin planning delivery of the programme across their respective communities.

Sabrina Lynch, SEEDS Project Manager, said: "Bringing our partners together is an important first step in building a shared vision for SEEDS.

"Every organisation involved brings valuable experience and community knowledge, and by working together we can expand access to high-quality dementia support while helping communities become more connected, informed and inclusive.”

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Uí Niallais pictured with delegates at Tuesday's first gathering of Health for Life’s new SEEDS Dementia Support Programme in the Healthy Liviing Centre, Creggan. Front from left, Kelley Hann, Sabrina Lynch and Sinead Devine. Back from left, Tommy Carlin, National Lottery representative, George McGowan, Project Director, Health For Life, Diane Greet, Facilitator, Tony Doherty, Regional Co-Ordinator, Health Living Centre Alliance and Eamonn Seydak, S3 Solutions. (Photos: JIm McCafferty Photography)

George McGowan, Project Director at Health for Life, said: "SEEDS is rooted in the belief that dementia support should be community-based, person-centred and shaped by lived experience. This investment from The National Lottery Community Fund allows us and our partners to build on the success of DEEDS and create lasting change for individuals, families and communities across the North of Ireland and beyond.

"The Gathering has been a major success, and it was great to meet all our new partners and project friends as we planned for the way ahead.”

Thomas Carlin from The National Lottery Community Fund said: “SEEDS is an excellent example of how communities can come together to address some of society’s biggest challenges.

"Through strong partnerships, lived experience and a commitment to collaboration, this programme will help people affected by dementia to live well in their communities while building the knowledge, skills and confidence of organisations across Ireland, the UK and Wales. We are proud to support a project that seeks to create lasting change both for individuals and the systems that support them.”

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Uí Niallais pictured with delegates from the Healthy Living Alliance Partnership at Tuesday's first gathering of Health for Life’s new SEEDS Dementia Support Programme in the Healthy Liviing Centre, Creggan. Included is Tommy Carlin, National Lottery Representative.(Photos: JIm McCafferty Photography)

Strategic partners include Healthy Living Centre Alliance Northern Ireland (HLCA NI), Care Merseyside, Age Cymru and Age UK Barnet.

Delivery across the North will be supported by Causeway Urban & Rural Network, Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership and Clanrye Group, while long-standing DEEDS delivery partners Shantallow Community Centre, Hillcrest Trust, Strabane District Caring Services, Caw Nelson Drive Action Group and Learmount Community Group will continue to play a vital role in supporting people living with dementia, carers and families within their communities.

Participants at the gathering explored the history and development of the DEEDS model, discussed opportunities for collaboration and took part in immersive dementia awareness training designed to strengthen understanding of the experiences of people living with dementia.