Lancaster researchers are sharing in a £1.2M award for a national project to improve how people with dementia are treated in the workplace.
The Working with Dementia Network Plus project aims to change the understanding of how dementia affects employment and drive positive change for those affected.
The project, led by the University of the West of Scotland, will establish a unique research network which will bring together academics from Lancaster University, Northumbria University, Edinburgh Napier and the University of Warwick with people living with dementia, and stakeholders like policymakers and employers.
Lancaster researchers include Professor Carol Holland, Dr Caroline Swarbrick and Professor Ceu Mateus from the Centre for Ageing Research and Division of Health Research at the Faculty of Health and Medicine.
Professor Holland said: "Bringing together a unique range of disciplines, including employment law, health economics as well as expertise in co-research with people living with dementia and also potential interventions to maintain ageing well in employment situations, makes this an important network that seeks to have a significant impact on working lives and economic activity for an important sector of the population".
The interdisciplinary initiative will address critical challenges faced by employees and employers, fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment for those living with, and caring for people with dementia. By leveraging the expertise of multiple universities, the network seeks to drive innovative solutions, enhance workplace policies, and improve the quality of life for those affected by dementia.
Professor Louise Ritchie from the UWS said: "Dementia is increasingly a workplace issue, impacting not just people with a diagnosis of dementia but also their families, colleagues and employers more generally. Working with Dementia Network Plus will address the social and financial inequalities associated with dementia and develop evidence-based solutions to support continued employment or alternatives for those affected."
The Dementia Network Plus initiative is a strategic investment by the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and Alzheimer's Society.
A dedicated Working With Dementia Academy will offer training and career development for researchers, while a Seedcorn Fund will fund and support innovative research projects. Additionally, an "Innovation Fund" empowers non-academic stakeholders to develop practical solutions based on research findings.
With inclusivity at the core of the initiative, a "Lived Experience Panel" will ensure the voices of those with dementia are heard throughout the research process.
This project has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people affected by dementia. By fostering collaboration and driving research, Working with Dementia Network Plus paves the way for a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all.
