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John's campaign was launched to support the right of people with dementia to be supported by their family carers

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The Lister Hospital (part of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust) offers Carer Passports, as do many other welcoming hospitals and trusts

Find your hospital or home's pledge to support John's Campaign on our Participants page.
We know that families come in all varieties. They're not always genetically related and sometimes it is a close friend who matters most. We believe that individuals are their own best judges who is essential for their emotional or practical well-being. We think that, wherever possible, they should be asked and their wishes respected.

Legally carers are people who provide personal care, support and assistance to another individual who is in need of support due to disability, medical condition, including terminal or chronic illness, mental illness or is frail and aged.

Our campaign can apply to anyone with a special need and is therefore in line with Equality legislation as well as human-kindness and common sense.

We believe that carers should not just be 'allowed' but should be welcomed. They are the experts in the person for whom they care and best outcomes are likely when they work in partnership with the medical or social professionals. Often they have legal duties such as power of attorney or court of protections deputy. They can observe and advocate: communicate, remember, explain and reassure.

However family carers often have other responsibilities. They have a right but not a duty to continue to care.

John's Campaign applies to all hospital settings (acute, community, mental health). We have come to realise that its principles must extend to all other caring institutions where people are living away from those closest to them.

Over 1500 institutions have pledged support in the time since the campaign was founded in November 2014 by Nicci Gerrard and Julia Jones.

The current coronavirus pandemic has tested their commitment beyond anything they or we could ever have imagined. Thank you to all who still honour your Carers Welcome pledge.

John's Campaign is not a tick box exercise: it's an attitude of mind which respects the rights and choices of the person who needs care and values the essential input of the informal carer (or family member) as well as the expertise of the professional. Everyone has a part to play in this.

The campaign's name honours Dr John Gerrard, who was a doctor and a business man, and diagnosed with Alzheimers in his mid seventies. It was a slow decline, that sped up when he was ill or upset, for ten years. Then, at the start of February 2014, he went into hospital. He had infected leg ulcers which weren't responding to antibiotics. The hospital had a norovirus outbreak which meant visitors weren't allowed at all. He was there for five weeks.

John went in strong, mobile, smiling, able to tell stories about his past, to work in his garden and help with things round the house. He was able to feed himself, to keep clean, to have a good kind of daily life. He came out skeletal, immobile, incoherent, requiring 24-hour care and barely knowing those around him.

His family are sure that if he had not spent that time alone, without them, he would not have descended into such a state of deep delirium. Having someone with you - someone who you love, who you know, whose face you know (be they your carer, your family, your friend, your lover) - helps keep you tied to reality, to life, to sanity.

John died in November 2014. His story, however, is still repeated. Far too many people die cut off from the people who care for them. Far too many places have dangerously over-restrictive policies (both predating and during the present pandemic) preventing people from being with people who need them.

In the wake of his death, John's daughter, Nicci Gerrard, cofounded John's Campaign with Julia Jones, whose mother, June, also lived well with dementia (both Alzheimer's and vascular) for many years before her death in 2018. John's Campaign is June's Campaign, is Everyone's Campaign, for none of us should be blocked from our best, most special friends, family or carers.

John's Campaign tries to give people a voice - to share information, experiences or enthusiasm. Our blog page is at the heart of this though you will also find personal experience on the experiences page and plenty of information via articles and resources. We have a public Facebook page and a care home and support group for care home managers as well as relatives. Interacting on Twitter is also very important to us. Blog posts are shared via Twitter and Facebook. If you have something you'd like to write about please contact julia@johnscampaign.org.uk.

The posts include the 'Why I Love My Job' series, which celebrates working in health and social care So far this series has featured activity facilitators, carers (both family and professional), carers liaison officers, chefs, directors, managers and nurses. Use this to share your personal enthusiasm for your work, whether paid or voluntary.

My Visiting Plan, a form through which patients with dementia (with assistance of family/carers as necessary) can express their wishes regarding visitors: Who do you want to visit, who don't you want to visit, when do you want them to visit and when do you want to rest?

Along the way, we've built up a collection of resources. These are shared on this site for assistance and inspiration, and are of a number of types: banners; carer awareness training, badges, charters, definitions, handbooks, information, passports; evaluations; family rooms; recliners; support packs; welcome posters...

Everything we host here can be used by you, but please give acknowledgement where appropriate.

Over 1500 hospitals and homes (and some others, such as ambulance trusts, clinical commissioning participants, domiciliary care companies, hospices and primary care providers) have pledged to support our principles of inclusion. We believe that people, particularly those with dementia, other mental illnesses, or otherwise in need of care, should not be separated from those important to them by protocols and systems that are harmful and wrong.

Many other influental individuals and organisations have expressed their support and partnered with us, a list of some of them is shown on our Partners page.

We are unrepayably indebted to all those who have helped us and carried the torch of change, of civil liberties, of common sense, of human rights.

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Find your hospital or home's pledge to support John's Campaign on our Participants page. We know that families come in all varieties. They're not always genetically related and sometimes it is a close friend who matters most. We believe that individuals are their own best judges who is essential for their emotional or practical well-being.

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This is me Booklet from the Alzheimer's Society

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This is me Booklet from the Alzheimer's Society

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If you, or a person you care for, has dementia, delirium or other communication difficulties, moving to an unfamiliar place or meeting new people can be unsettling or distressing. This is me® can help to reduce this distress. It helps health and social care professionals build a better understanding of you, or the person you care for, to be able to deliver the best care possible.

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This website offers a wealth of information on Alzheimer's disease for those affected, their families and healthcare professionals.

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Will you provide help and hope to families living with dementia this Christmas?

Your donation will enable Alzheimer's Society to be there for families in need this Christmas.

Vital services like our Dementia Support Line provide expert advice and comfort to people whose lives are being devastated by dementia.

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From day one of dementia, we'll be right here with you. For support and advice. For pushing for change, and for life-changing treatments and care.

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We are the specialist dementia nursing charity that is here for the whole family. Our nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, life-changing support and advice to anyone affected by dementia

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Specialist support to families facing dementia - Dementia UK

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Dementia UK is a charity that provides Admiral Nurses for families affected by dementia. Call our Dementia Helpline to find out how we can support you. %

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Our nurses are here when people need help. They have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems

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Admiral Nurses help people living with dementia stay independent for longer - and support the people caring for them so that they will have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.

Admiral Nurses work in local community services, GP practices and NHS hospitals, care homes, and hospices. They also run our Dementia Helpline and Clinic appointments.

In our short film below, Penny, Aqib and Shahbanu talk about the life-changing support of an Admiral Nurse.

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What is an Admiral Nurse and how can they help?

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Dementia UK is a charity that provides Admiral Nurses for families affected by dementia. Call our Dementia Helpline to find out how we can support you.

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The UK Dementia Research Institute is the single biggest initiative in dementia research ever launched in the UK and thanks to you, we’re proud to be part of it

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UK Dementia Research Institute - Alzheimer’s Research UK

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Alzheimer’s Research UK are co-founders of the UK Dementia Research Insitute (UK DRI). The UK Dementia Research is a landmark investment in dementia.

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We are an award-winning charity dedicated to empowering those living with dementia to live well

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Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services

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Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services

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A local specialist dementia service working within Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley to empower people affected by dementia to carry on their chosen lifestyle

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Services

We aim to provide life-enhancing services and vital support to people in later life. We and our local partners deliver a range of services across the UK

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Age UK services for the elderly | Age UK

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From befriending and social activities to footcare, information and advice and our charity shops, Age UK delivers a number of services designed to help older people

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Involve is dedicated to building a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We support the connectivity and independence of individuals and communities while challenging inequalities

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We improve health, empower people & communities and tackle the root causes of ill health. UK Charity based in Kent.

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Dementia together podcast

We share the stories and voices of people affected by dementia in audio interviews from our magazine.

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We share the stories and voices of people affected by dementia in audio interviews from our magazine.

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Access the MTW Dementia policy on the Trust intranet

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Access the Dementia Easy Read leaflet and the Delirium Easy Read leaflet on the MTW Dementia care page under Resources

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Dementia care - Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

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We believes dementia is everyone’s business and we are signed up with the Dementia Action Alliance to work towards becoming a dementia-friendly hospital.

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Check out Delirium resources and information on our Padlet

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Blackthorn Trust Group Craft workshops for carers

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Blackthorn Trust Group Craft workshops for carers

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Blackthorn Trust Invole craft group for carers

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Information on the dementia cafes and groups that meet regularly in our area

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Activities for those living with dementia from Spadework Dementia Services

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Activities for those living with dementia from Spadework Dementia Services

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Activities for those living with dementia from Spadework

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Fish and Chat sessions in the local area

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Fish and Chat sessions in the local area

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Run in West Kent, Medway and Swale these free sessions are run for those adults who need support with their mental health and wellbeing, long term health condition or social isolation. These 4hr sessions offer participants the opportunity to learn a new skill and make new friends

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We run lots of different sessions, some are for specific groups or have eligibility criteria, others are open to all. Here you can find out what our sessions are all about.

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Books on "Dementia" held in MTW Libraries

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Results of search for 'dementia' › KSS Knowledge & Library Services catalogue

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Cookies are small text files placed on your browser by websites. They help make websites work, or work more efficiently. They also "remember" some of your preferences, so you don't have to set a preference again every time you switch to a different page on the same website.

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Access e-journals on Dementia and Delirium.

OpenAthens account required- register here for one: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/

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Assessment of Dementia in BMJ Best Practice

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Assessment of Dementia in BMJ Best Practice

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Dementia topic from BMJ Best practice. OpenAthens account required to access- sign up for OpenAthens here- https://openathens.nice.org.uk/

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Evaluation of dementia - Differential diagnosis of symptoms | BMJ Best Practice US

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Dementia is a syndrome characterized by deterioration in cognition, resulting in impairment in the activities of daily living. Cognitive decline occurs in one or more cognitive domains. The incidence of dementia doubles with every 6.3 year increase in age, from 3.9 per 1000 person-years at age 60…

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Dementia topic in DynaMed- OpenAthens account required to access- register at https://openathens.nice.org.uk/

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Chapter on Dementia from Royal Marsden Manual

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Chapter on Dementia from Royal Marsden Manual

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Access information on Dementia from Royal Marsden Manual.

OpenAthens needed to access- register here: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/

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The Royal Marsden Manual Online edition provides up-to-date, evidence- based clinical skills and procedures related to essential aspects of a person’s care.

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Please complete this survey on Dementia tools available in the MTW Trust