Small Research Project Fund: Funded Projects

Project 1: “Seen and heard”: The role of sound and moving image to connect people with dementia within, outwards and across generations – Ellie Robinson-Carter and Ronald Amanze (University of Hull, Biggerhouse Film)

This project will bring people with dementia and young people together to create radio and films that share stories, helping people feel heard, build connections, and challenge how dementia is understood.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Inclusive uses of technology 

Project 2: Developing and implementing Meeting Centres in Northern Ireland: a co-production approach to community-based support – Shirley Evans (University of Worcester)

This project establishes the first Meeting Centre in Northern Ireland as a six‑month pilot at Green Island Golf Club. Through co-production with people with dementia, care partners, and other stakeholders, the project will develop a model that can be scaled nationally to fill a major gap in community support services across the region.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Building a compassionate, skilled and supported workforce

Project 3: Connecting with African and Caribbean Elders – Lizzie Ward (National Museums Liverpool)

Utilising the award-winning House of Memories Dementia Awareness programme at National Museums Liverpool, this collaborative project will work with community leaders and those living with dementia across Liverpool African and Caribbean communities to create culturally appropriate resources.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Building a compassionate, skilled and supported workforce
• Inclusive uses of technology

Project 4: Intimacy within relationships affected by dementia whilst living at home: co-designing awareness resources – Rasa Mikelyte and Esther Wiskerke (University of Kent, Symbiosia)

This project will co-design an accessible booklet with people who have lived or professional experience, offering clear guidance on topics such as intimacy and dementia, consent, decision-making, and where to seek help.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Building a compassionate, skilled and supported workforce

Project 5: Helping family members and trusted contacts navigate financial challenges for people with dementia – Hang Le and Orii McDermott (University of Nottingham)

This project conducts interviews with people with lived experience, both individuals with dementia and their informal carers, to understand challenges such as sensitive conversations about money, transferring financial control, and navigating complex financial systems. The findings will contribute to clearer, practical guidance to help supporters safeguard financial wellbeing at the right time.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Building a compassionate, skilled and supported workforce

Project 6: Amplifying voices from ethnic minority communities: hybrid/online wellbeing activities for diverse communities – Jo Morling and Neil Chadborn (University of Nottingham, Link CVS)

This project helps more people access culturally relevant wellbeing activities through the Royal Voluntary Service’s Virtual Village Hall. The team will work with local communities to create new content that reflects different cultural backgrounds. These activities will be easy to use at home and especially helpful for families supporting someone with advanced dementia.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Inclusive uses of technology

Project 7: Dementia Adventure Green Letter Days: supporting wellbeing for people living with dementia and their carers through meaningful moments – Manpreet Gill and Marcus Hansen (Dementia Adventure, Liverpool John Moores University, Stevenage Dementia Involvement Group) 

 Activities such as walking cricket, relaxed golf, or community picnics create shared moments for people living with dementia, carers, volunteers, and local organisations. This project aims to better understand how these outdoor, community-based experiences benefit wellbeing, particularly for people who may be isolated, marginalised, or underserved by traditional services.

Priority areas:

• Raising public awareness and addressing stigma and social exclusion
• Supporting families, friends, and unpaid carers
• Building a compassionate, skilled and supported workforce

Acknowledgments

The processes, priority areas, and forms in this Small Project Fund have been co-developed with the invaluable guidance and insights of grassroot and community organisations, lived experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners across primary, social, dementia, and palliative care. Their contributions have ensured our call reflects the real-world priorities and needs of people affected by dementia requiring greater support. We are grateful for their time commitment and expertise that has contributed to this call.