Dementia Support Line
Changing how we work
Read the full version of our Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements 2021/22
We made some key changes to the way we work this year.
These changes were designed to make us a more efficient and equal organisation. They also helped us to deliver on our promises to people living with dementia.
- Throughout the year we expanded our networks for colleagues who identify as LGBTQIA+, those from ethnically diverse communities, and those experiencing menopause.
- Changes to our Trustee Board mean there is now more diversity at Trustee level, and next year our recruitment will build on this foundation. Carers and people living with dementia also became members of one of our Board committees.
- To enable our teams to deliver all they could during Covid-19 restrictions, we took the first steps towards modernisation with the development of our new IT Application Roadmap.
- We continued to strengthen our cyber security defences, including raising awareness with our people of the risk of cyber threats.
- To make our bold ambitions a reality, we needed to strengthen our leadership team. We recruited new Associate Directors. Recruitment has been shaped by members of our Dementia Voice community, our volunteer advisory panel, employee forum, and diversity networks.
We employed six people under the government’s Kickstart scheme, which is aimed at helping young people at risk of long-term unemployment.
“Alzheimer’s Society truly supports its employees, and really tries to look after their mental health.”
Thuy Nguyen is an Employee Support Assistant who began at Alzheimer’s Society in September 2021. She went on to secure a contract role with the Society.
Read moreThuy's Story
“I was out of employment for the whole of lockdown because prior to that, I worked as a chef. I was literally not working at all and it was obviously hard to find a job because everything was closed down and a lot of people made redundant as well.
I found the Kickstart scheme and I applied to a role as a People Assistant. I haven’t had experience of anything like office jobs. The only thing I had seen was on TV or movies and they seem to be pretty scary. I think when I joined, I was extremely nervous. For the first two weeks I had sweaty palms the whole day.
The first week I met so many people and they were all so lovely and supportive. They will always say that no question is a silly question.
It changed my perception of working in an office job and for charities in general and I absolutely love it. I think it’s amazing. I feel like Alzheimer’s Society truly supports its employees and really tries and look after their mental health, which I have never experienced in any other place I have ever worked.
Since I've been here, I feel like they’re employing more people from other cultures and countries and of different ages. So, I feel like there are more young people coming into the Society now. I love it.
I’m just sad it’s a fixed-term contract, cause if it was a permanent one, there’s no way I would say no to it.”
Thuy Nguyen is an Employee Support Assistant who began at Alzheimer’s Society in September 2021. She went on to secure a contract role with the Society.
During this busy year, we have kept in close contact with our people.
Our Employee Engagement Survey saw 89% of team members agree that they are proud to work for Alzheimer’s Society – an 8% increase from our score of 81% in 2020.
Our Employee Engagement Survey saw 89% of team members agree that they are proud to work for Alzheimer’s Society – an 8% increase from our score of 81% in 2020.
We focused on wellbeing at all levels. Our efforts recognised the impact of the pandemic on our team and provided space for them to take care of themselves while helping others.
The voices, thoughts and opinions of people affected by dementia, our employees and our volunteers are a crucial part of shaping our work. While developing our new strategy, our approach was mindful of the challenges people with dementia face.
We organised 16 sessions with 1,249 employees and volunteers, each sharing their unique experiences. Our team also organised 60 focus groups, with participants representing a diverse cross-section of people living with dementia.
We had 297 conversations with 14 themed groups, helping to bring the views and experiences of individuals into the development of our new Help and Hope organisational strategy for 2022-27.
