Trainer Profiles

Su has worked with people living with dementia for approximately 27 years. Her first experience was working in residential care homes, wearing various hats along the way including care worker, activities co-ordinator, and cook. She then worked in the community for different home-care agencies, and worked on the bank for the local mental health trust.

For the last 18 years Su has worked for Alzheimer's Society, running and developing local services in the Brighton & Hove area and for the last four years has worked as a Dementia Trainer.  In 2010 Su became an Alzheimer's Society Gold Standard Dementia Trainer, going on to join the Society's Education and Development team on a full time basis. Su co-developed and delivers the popular Champions in Dementia programme course, alongside the wider training portfolio.

'One of the most poignant moments for me was when a lady at a late stage of her dementia, told me 'I wish you were my daughter.' It is such a great feeling when you make those connections and to be able to inspire others to do the same.'

Things I've done this month

October started off for me with a trip to Wales to deliver days 5 and 6 of the Champions in dementia programme with participants from HC One in Cardiff.  Along with two colleagues, we were treated to three innovative and thought provoking presentations.  This for me is a time of mixed emotions where the 3 months of Champions in dementia programme has come to an end and the group go off on their journeys without me, but I see the changes happening and developing!

From Cardiff I travelled on to Carmarthen, where I delivered the cascade facilitation course, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to cascade dementia awareness training. I also spent two days in Chatham delivering the Person-centred dementia care course, working with Crossroads who have just started up a new project as a crisis team.

It has been a rollercoaster of a month for me having lost one of my dogs at the end of last month and another last week (my two lovely rotties!), but I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful, inspiring and dedicated people.

Contact us

For information about the range of dementia training courses Su and the other Alzheimer's Society Dementia Trainers can deliver for your organisation contact us on 01904 633581 or email dementiatraining@alzheimers.org.uk.