Andy Gill

Andy is the founder of a new and innovative service which provides daytime activities for people living with dementia. 

He has a wide experience of care services for older people including working as a home carer, providing support to enable people with dementia to stay in their own homes. As a result of his first wife’s diagnosis with a rare form of vascular dementia in 2016 he is therefore acutely aware of how difficult life can be in trying to support  a loved one and give them the best life has to offer.

His aim along with the rest of the Dementia Active team is to provide a safe and welcoming environment, where people with dementia can relax and join in activities designed to support and maintain their ability levels. Crucially this provides family members with some much needed time to themselves.

Andy has a particular interest in developing activities using the principles underlying Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). This seeks to stimulate and utilise people’s cognitive strengths in order to help them maintain their lives in their own homes.

 Email: andy@dementiactive.co.uk 

Melissa, now semi-retired was a qualified primary trained teacher who has a long held interest in brain function. Initially this was from the perspective of the child’s developing brain, but in the last decade since the loss of her mother to vascular dementia she has focused on studying the decline in cognitive ability experienced by people with dementia.  Of particular interest to her is the manner in which various forms of dementia impact in quite different ways upon brain function, along with the consequent limitations people experience in their daily lives. 

A late career break in order to do a degree in ceramics has led to an interest in using the arts in dementia activities.

In recent years Melissa has had experience in the home care sector; has worked for the NHS in the Oxfordshire Supported Hospital Discharge Team (now known as HART) and also for the Alzheimer’s Society as an Advisor in North Oxfordshire. In this role it became clear that services which are able to offer stimulating activities for people with dementia but which also do not require the presence of a carer are very limited if non existent. For this reason she has chosen to join Dementia Active as it is able to offer just such a service and in particular is developing the use of Cognitive Stimulation Techniques (CST) for those with mild to moderate dementia.

Email:  melissa@dementiactive.co.uk 

Jo has been a foster carer for young people with special needs, a helper with local Beavers and Cubs groups and has for some years been a carer for her mother who has dementia.

Jo joined a Dementia Active group as a volunteer in order to give her mother the one to one support she needed to be able to continue attending. 

After a 32 year career with Tesco in Banbury, Jo took the big step in 2023 to change her career in order to manage the day to day running of the 'Dementia Active' building.

She also transports members and assists them in groups.

Jo has also stepped up as the Lead Safeguarding Trustee for the charity.

As a child, Joanna enjoyed football and is also a keen swimmer. She studied and passed her GCSE’s at school and attended a performing arts College.

Joanna says, “Bringing up two girls took a lot of time, but I was able to return to work.”

After finding employment in retail and then at a local bingo hall, Joanna decided she needed to follow her passion, caring for older people requiring support.

After working and therefore acquiring 6 years care experience in the community, and an NVQ level 2 in health and care, Joanna found our charity and brought her knowledge and experience to it.

Joanna states “It is a joy to help and support the members at Dementia Active. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my day!” 

 Julie is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother. She finds great joy in connecting with her local community. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to supporting those who may need a bit of extra assistance.

Dementia often causes people to become disconnected from their previous social circles. The importance of spending time with others who understand this feeling of isolation cannot be overstated.

As Julie puts it, “Working at Dementia Active is incredibly rewarding because we help prevent our members from feeling isolated.”

Terri joined us after spending some time caring for her husband who is in recovery from an acquired brain injury.

Terri states, “Life was hectic - visiting him in hospital for months on end, still working, taking care of our son and our crazy collie. You really do find strength you didn’t know you had when you have no choice.”
Caring for her husband has made Terri realise this was actually something she would like to do in a professional capacity and her personal experience with neurological issues made her feel she would be a good fit.
She loves getting to know the members and hearing all the wonderful stories of their lives and families. Having been a carer to a family member herself, she knows only too well just how important it is for family members and carers to have a little respite in order to be the best they can be for their loved ones.
Terri says, “If I can sit down at the end of the day and know I’ve made even just one person's day a little better; that’s good enough for me and I’m so grateful Dementia Active has given me the opportunity to do just that!"

Kate’s previous work has included working with children with severe learning and physical disabilities, as well as working for over twenty years within the optical industry. 

For a short time, Kate also worked for a mobility and rehabilitation company. 

“The best part of all of these different jobs,” Kate says, “were the people I met and the relationships I built with them and their families.”

The one part of her role at Dementia Active Kate is looking forward to, is, offering activities that are interesting, vibrant and fun. 

Kate says, “At the end of the activity sessions, for our members to say they have had a ‘good day' is what I aim for.”
Outside of work Kate loves reading, gardening and walking especially in the Lake District.

Teresa has been managing the Carterton Food Angels, a food bank, since 2020 and also initiated a warm hub in 2022. Sadly, Teresa's father passed away due to dementia. 

Teresa says,  “helping to support people with dementia by working at Dementia Active is so rewarding.”

Dementia is an illness that can lead to isolation from former friends. The importance of spending time with others who understand this sense of isolation cannot be underestimated.

Our goal is to establish a community where people do not feel the need to apologise or feel uncomfortable about their current capabilities compared to the past. Conversation is encouraged both socially, particularly when people arrive and during lunch, and in more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities provide opportunities for engagement.

The overall benefits include increased energy levels and improved cognition.

For many years Sonia stayed at home bringing her children up, wondering how she would ever have time for a job. Having briefly worked in retail when the children grew up, Sonia decided that was not for her.

Having spent 4 years in a Banbury nursing home, Sonia really found her niche as a carer, trying to make a difference to lives of the people in their latter years.

Sadly, Sonia lost her father to Multi system atrophy, Parkinson’s and dementia in the very home that she works in to this day.

Sonia says,” It was after my father passed that I decided this was what I wanted to do and I haven’t looked back. I love my job and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time.”

Having volunteered at a session at Dementia Active, Sonia then decided to come and work for us in a part time position as an assistant, saying, “I love talking to the wonderful members about their lives, it doesn’t feel like ‘work’.” 

Sonia enjoys, walking, music, decorating and holidaying with friends when time allows.

Heather joined Dementia Active Shortly after attending a fundraiser for the charity. Seeing first hand what they do, Heather knew she wanted to be a part of the story.
With Heather’s father's help, the pair cared for her mum who was diagnosed with early onset Dementia at the age of 58.

Heather worked in Property management for 10 years helping tenants & landlords alike.
It was with a very heavy heart she finished in this career, but knew helping people with dementia was more important. The heartwarming affect that Dementia Active had on its members overwhelmed Heather, knowing if her mum had attended it would have made her parents life more bearable.

Since losing mum to dementia Heather has taken part in many fundraising activities including her biggest achievement, completing the London Halloween Walk where she endured a harrowing 26 miles on foot.

Heather says, “My favourite thing in life are my dogs! Second to that is the support I can give to the members at Dementia Active”. 

Gavin says,  “helping to support people with dementia by working at Dementia Active is so rewarding.”

Dementia is an illness that can lead to isolation from former friends. The importance of spending time with others who understand this sense of isolation cannot be underestimated.

Our goal is to establish a community where people do not feel the need to apologise or feel uncomfortable about their current capabilities compared to the past. Conversation is encouraged both socially, particularly when people arrive and during lunch, and in more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities provide opportunities for engagement.

The overall benefits include increased energy levels and improved cognition.

Lee worked in the Plastic Industry for many years and as a Maintenance Site Technician for a Holiday and Office Complex.
The thing Lee enjoyed the most about his previous rolls was interacting with people, teaching them new things and sorting out problems for them.
So joining Dementia Active was a way of fulfilling that on a daily basis.
Lee says " Meeting the members and their families is enjoyable and building relationships with both adds to a rewarding experience"
Outside of work Lee enjoys Walking, gardening and playing Music. 

Dave says,  “helping to support people with dementia by working at Dementia Active is so rewarding.”

Dementia is an illness that can lead to isolation from former friends. The importance of spending time with others who understand this sense of isolation cannot be underestimated.

Our goal is to establish a community where people do not feel the need to apologise or feel uncomfortable about their current capabilities compared to the past. Conversation is encouraged both socially, particularly when people arrive and during lunch, and in more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities provide opportunities for engagement.

The overall benefits include increased energy levels and improved cognition.

Helen has worked as an Occupational Therapist for 17 years primarily working with older adults with mental health problems and continues to work for the NHS as part of a community rehab team. Helen has experience of working with people with dementia in both inpatient and community settings and is acutely aware of how important cognitive stimulation and social contact are in maintaining skills and well-being.  Having seen a decline in the community groups available for older people in Oxfordshire Helen was delighted to find Dementia Active and to have the opportunity to join the team.  She loves helping to run groups and facilitate social contact for people with dementia as this brings much needed stimulation and meaningful engagement. Helen says, " Dementia Active plays such as important role for the people that attend and their families, it is a pleasure to be part of."

Sharron recently joined Dementia Active as a cook and is looking forward to cooking delicious meals for the members. 

Sharron, in the past has worked as a housekeeper as well as supporting young children in early years education. A dedicated volunteer of six years she supported ‘Dogs for Good’ in Banbury as a Puppy Socialiser, as well as raising and training puppies to become life-changing assistance dogs. Outside of work Sharron enjoys spending time with her husband and three, now grown children. 

Sharron says, “Working with charities such as Dementia Active and Dogs for Good is and has been a truly rewarding experience."