This year has seen a renewed and substantial increase in our VAT campaign . We have, in the course of the year, met with a number of local MPs from our regions and discussed with them this issue, including Rachel Gilmour , Caroline Voaden , Steve Race , Sir Mel Stride , Andy McNae , Steve Darling and Sir Ashley Fox . Caroline Voaden was actively engaged with us earlier this year, leading a House of Commons debate on dementia in which she directly highlighted our VAT concern

Dr Avril and Dr Michael Staunton live in Bridgwater, Somerset. Both are veteran Army medics who have led remarkable lives of service and achievement. Dr Avril and Dr Michael Staunton Over ten years ago, Avril was diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer’s called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) , a condition that primarily affects vision and perception. After the diagnosis, Michael drew on his Army experience to help Avril stay active and engaged. Together, they continued purs

Caring for someone with dementia can bring many challenges, and one that can be particularly distressing is sundowning. This term describes changes in behaviour that often appear in the late afternoon or evening. Not everyone with dementia will experience it, but for those who do, sundowning can cause confusion, anxiety, and agitation. What to look for: Signs of Sundowning Carers and family members may notice that as the day goes on, the person with dementia begins to: Become

When someone receives a diagnosis of dementia, it is often life-changing. For the person themselves, and for their family and friends, the emotions can be overwhelming: fear, grief, uncertainty, and sadness. It is important to be clear that nothing I say here diminishes how devastating such a diagnosis can feel. But, I want to hold space for another truth too: that a diagnosis of dementia does not mean life is over. Far from it. There is still life left to live and, in many

Emma Bottomley hosts a Filo group in her home in Somerton. After twenty years in graphic design, she retrained as a Creative Arts Facilitator and began hosting with The Filo Project this summer. Emma Bottomley - Filo Host “The commercial world of design wasn’t giving me the people-facing element I craved for. I came across The Filo Project while I was researching local dementia care as part of my Creative Arts Therapy course. I knew as soon as I read about them, I had to be a

This summer, The Filo Project celebrates 11 years of delivering thoughtful, meaningful support to people living with dementia and their families. What began as a small idea has evolved into a growing community, offering care, connection and respite across the South West and beyond. To mark the milestone, here are 11 facts about The Filo Project: Founded in 2014 The Filo Project began in Devon in 2014, with just a few groups running each week. Eleven years on, we have supporte

One of the questions we’re often asked is: “When should I refer my family member to The Filo Project?” There’s no one-size-fits-all answer - every person is different. But what we do know is that joining a Filo group sooner rather than later can make a real difference. Our service is designed for older people who may be showing early signs of memory loss, confusion, or who are becoming more withdrawn, whether or not they have a formal dementia diagnosis. For someone with deme

We hear the term ‘reablement pathway’ a lot these days in the Health & Social Care stratosphere. Increasingly often, it's used to describe a pathway of treatment, care and support that enables someone to return to living in their own home following a hospital stay . It's also a way of avoiding people being admitted to general hospitals or residential care homes during a period of crisis. However, as many of my Occupational Therapy friends and colleagues will attest, the conce

The debate was lengthy and impassioned. There was consensus across the house and over 3 hours MP after MP spoke of their own personal experiences of dementia or those of their constituents. Their contributions painted a vivid picture of the current reality of living with dementia. Several common themes emerged throughout the discussion: Navigating the system is complex and disordered, and people need much better support to do this. The current system increases stress and unce

In 1972, a woman moved to the UK from Sri Lanka, bringing with her a law degree and going on to work here as a solicitor. In 2019, she...

Gordon has been living in a residential home for the past 13 weeks. Before that, his wife Beulah cared for him at home for around two years. While she never hesitated to support him, she reflects on how challenging it became, especially towards the end. “It was hard work. I was so exhausted, getting up in the night, trying to manage everything. I was absolutely knackered,” she says. Gordon & Beulah Gordon has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. A former police inspector, he re

At The Filo Project, many of our employees find that their roles fit flexibly alongside other commitments, whether that’s part-time work, volunteering, family responsibilities, or personal projects. If you’re considering applying but wondering how a role with us might work around your existing life, you’re not alone. In this article, we share how some of our team members successfully balance their work with The Filo Project alongside other roles, helping to give a real sense

Could you or someone you know take part in a new UK pilot designed to detect early signs of dementia and promote better brain health? Led...

We were proud to be a sponsor at this year’s Cornwall Annual Dementia Conference - a day filled with connection, insight, and inspiration. With a brilliant turnout and a packed programme, it was a powerful reminder of the progress being made in dementia care across Cornwall and beyond.  There were 180 delegates, including people living with dementia, carers, friends & family, professionals from statutory services across health & social care, and many community and voluntary

Liz Dennis, Co-founder and Director of The Filo Project The Filo Project is a ‘care provider’, but it’s interesting to ponder just what that phrase means and whether it fully captures the nature of the relationships we see every day. The boundaries between giving and receiving care can become beautifully blurred, revealing a more mutual, human exchange than the phrase might suggest. Recently, a new member of our communications team went to visit a group and was struck by the

Tom was a passionate advocate for human rights, dedicating much of his life to Amnesty International UK. He served on the board, taking on roles as Chair and Vice Chair, and was deeply committed to helping others. Tom Hedley - partner of Lin and Filo client He had a keen interest in politics and sports and thrived in social environments. But, during the COVID-19 lockdown, his partner of 35 years, Lin, began to notice the early signs of dementia. Having experienced dementia wi

Being a care partner can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also come with its challenges. The Carers UK State of Caring survey (2023)...

As we expand our service into new regions, we are looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to join us as Area Coordinators.

At The Filo Project, we offer more than just day care for older people; we create an environment where meaningful connections and friendships can flourish. Becoming a Host is an opportunity to work from home, make a tangible difference in the lives of older people, and be part of a supportive team dedicated to enriching the lives of others. If you’re considering becoming a Host, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about the role, from key responsibili

The busy changes to routines and home environments that come with Christmas can be challenging for relatives or friends living with dementia. Unexpected decorations, noisy gatherings, and altered meal times can feel disorientating. However, Christmas also brings wonderful opportunities for reminiscing about happy memories and feeling a sense of purpose by contributing to the celebrations. Libby Price, Co-Director of The Filo Project, explained: “There’s no doubt that caring f