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Community makers: report on developing an online toolkit for supporting people with dementia to connect during the pandemic and beyond

Shirley Evans (Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK)
Matthew Harrison (UK DRI Care Research and Technology Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK)
Natasha Morgan (Innovation Team, Alzheimer's Society, London, UK)
Cat Kilkenny (Helix Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK)
Thomas Morton (Association for Dementia Studies, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK)

Working with Older People

ISSN: 1366-3666

Article publication date: 7 March 2022

Issue publication date: 28 April 2022

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Abstract

Purpose

Community Makers (https://communitymakers.co) is an active UK wide network that evolved rapidly in response to COVID-19 and the negative impact of social isolation and distancing on people and families affected by dementia. The network is led by the Alzheimer’s Society, UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research and Technology Centre and The Association for Dementia Studies, at the University of Worcester. This study aims to investigate what works for whom and why and in what circumstances as a basis for the development of an online toolkit for people supporting people affected by dementia to connect and reconnect during the pandemic and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of the toolkit was informed by an iterative approach of engagement with people affected by dementia, learning from a network of community organisations and a rapid realist literature review.

Findings

Four common factors that combine to make a successful support intervention, regardless of its type, size or location were identified: relationships, purpose, technology and community. The application of the factors, adopted as principles, is illustrated by applying them to three real-world examples.

Social implications

The main output was the online tool kit, which is a resource of creative ideas to inspire groups with different approaches to digital involvement and help reduce social isolation.

Originality/value

This report offers new insight, based on identification of four principles, into how people affected by dementia can be supported online and offline during a pandemic and beyond.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the Alzheimer’s Dementia Voice National Groups and the organisations and individuals participating in the Community Makers Network for their time and insight.Conflict of interest declaration: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The project is unfunded and reports on the work undertaken to inform the development of the Community Makers online toolkit.

Citation

Evans, S., Harrison, M., Morgan, N., Kilkenny, C. and Morton, T. (2022), "Community makers: report on developing an online toolkit for supporting people with dementia to connect during the pandemic and beyond", Working with Older People, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 140-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-01-2022-0002

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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