A young Anna Littlechild seated at a desk looking at a disability rights handbook, black and white

Our story

From small beginnings...

 

Alzheimer’s Support was founded in 1990 by former care home worker Anna Littlechild at a time when there was no specialist support for people affected by dementia in Wiltshire.

From a tiny room in a shared building in Trowbridge, Anna trained and led a small team of support workers who visited people at home in West Wiltshire, offered advice to families and set up support groups for carers. In 1994 we opened our first club for six members, and we have carried on expanding to meet demand ever since.

  • 2025
    • Charity changes name to Beyond Dementia
    • A Walk to Remember marks 10 years
    • We welcome our 200th volunteer
  • 2024
    • Day clubs win Markel 3rd Sector Care Award
    • Whole charity is a finalist in National Dementia Care Awards
    • Charity joins Carers Together Wiltshire partnership
    • Understanding Dementia receives Lottery funding
  • A man and three ladies dancing and waving in Mill Street Club with Christmas decorations 2023
    • Scots Lane club opens in Salisbury, receives multi-year Lottery funding
    • Understanding Dementia awareness programme launched
    • First ‘Double Donations’ Christmas appeal
  • Duncan and Lyn Baxter waving in front of a Congratulations Duncan banner at Old Silk Works club 2022
    • Home Support reaches final of  3rd Sector Care awards
    • Old Silk Works club member Duncan Baxter wins Dame Barbara Windsor Award
    • First Christmas carol concert at Seend
  • Two CEOs Sarah Marriott and Babs Harris, standing very close together, both wearing light blue, smiling 2021
    • Charity moves from Park House to Trinity House
    • Sarah Marriott becomes CEO

     

  • Luggage label with a hand-drawn rainbow, and the words Stay Safe, tied with string in the corner 2020 The pandemic
    • All services close, we keep in touch by phone and cards with all our families, shop, send out art packs and activity groups move online
    • Major fundraising appeal launched and A Walk to Remember goes virtual
    • May Home Support reopens
    • July/August Clubs reopen, Sept groups reopen with restrictions
    • Living in Lockdown survey reveals extent of losses and distress
    • Record demand for home support with 388 visits weekly
  • Man wearing a grey t shirt, seated at a work bench making an insect hotel by putting tubes into a shape of wood at the Corsham Men's Shed 2019
    • First memory shed opens in Corsham
    • Growth of community groups continues with three new Muddy Boots group and our seventh memory cafe
    • Old Silk Works wins national dementia design award
  • Delegates at round table, waving colourful scarves as part of a session on running engaging activities. In the background a speaker is on stage in front of a powerpoint presentation. 2018
    • Old Silk Works Club opens
    • 2nd Dementia Social Care conference
    • 1st Denim4Dementia fundraiser 
    • Art groups shortlisted for national award
    • Salisbury office opens plus new groups in North Wiltshire
  • 2017
    • Charity wins contract for dementia services across Wiltshire, 23 new staff join the team
    • Discussion group and gardening cafes open
    • Home Support wins best team at National Dementia Care awards
  • 2016
    • Charity holds 1st South West Dementia Social Care conference
    • Partnership with Holbrook School launched
    • First Muddy Boots group plus new community groups across Wiltshire
    • Dementia Awareness project reaches 5,000 people in Wiltshire
  • 2015
    • Charity wins a coveted GlaxoSmithKline Impact award
    • Anna retires, Babs Harris appointed new CEO
    • A Walk to Remember launches with four day event
  • 2014
    • Mill Street Club opens in Trowbridge, replacing Polebarn House
  • Woman with long white head drawing a still life of roses in pencil. Taken from over her shoulder so we see the back of her head and sketch emerging 2013
    • Dementia Adviser service starts
    • First art group opens in Pewsey
  • 2012
    • Early diagnosis campaign leads to drop in waiting times in Wiltshire and leads to two year memory awareness project
  • Group including the town crier and mayor cutting the ribbon at the opening of new office at Park House 2011
    • First Movement for the Mind group opens in Melksham
    • Head office moves to Park House
  • 2010
    • First Music for the Mind group opens in Bradford on Avon
  • 2009
    • UK adopts National Dementia Strategy
    • First memory cafe opens in Westbury
  • 2008

    Sidmouth Street Club and office open in Devizes

  • 2006
    • Office moves to Station Approach, Trowbridge
  • 2003
    • Home Support extended to East Wiltshire
  • 2001
    • Sunday club opens
  • 1997
    • Aricept, the first dementia drug, becomes available
  • 1994
    • Polebarn House and Oasis day clubs open in Trowbridge and Westbury
  • Early 1990s black and white image of three women standing in a row with documents from charity's foundation 1991
    • Home Support starts as the 'Relief Care Service' in West Wiltshire
    • Memorandum of Articles signed
  • 1990
    • Anna Littlechild answers ad for a development worker for a pilot project funded by Wiltshire Council

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Support our work

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Group of women in Sidmouth Street Club choosing flowers from a table covered in greenery and pink, white and yellow flowers
How we are governed

The goals and values behind our mission, and the people who lead our charity.
A very happy picture showing a man presenting a cheque to Old Silk Works club with Louise the Manager and a member laughing and holding the cheque. Behind are other staff and members of the club
How we are funded

How we work to ensure our services are there for everyone who needs us in Wiltshire.
Meet our team

Meet the team behind Beyond Dementia, dedicated experts providing care, guidance and hope for families affected by dementia.