Bath Voice News: the city’s dementia charity changes its name as the Mayor of Bath visits its centre at the RUH to see its vital work including its memory clinic

From ReMind UK: On 27th June, local charity, ReMind UK (previously called RICE), welcomed guests to their Memory Clinic and Research Institute for Brain Health in Bath, to launch their comprehensive ‘Guide to Living Well with Dementia’ in Bath and North-East Somerset.  The event was attended by over sixty guests including the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Michelle O’ Doherty.

The Mayor of Bath was given a brief tour of the ReMind UK Centre, based on the Royal United Hospital site, and introduced to guests including people with a dementia diagnosis, carers, staff and volunteers to learn about the work of the charity’s Memory Clinic, Research Institute for Brain Health and post-diagnosis support services. Following refreshments, the guests heard speeches from Melissa Hillier, CEO and Tom Welsh, Research and Medical Director at Remind UK and Nicky Moorey, a trustee and recent carer.

Remind UK’s new guide is free and aims to provide a resource for people living with dementia and those who care for them.   It consists of two sections, an advice section and a detailed directory of dementia-friendly services and resources available both locally and nationally. The advice section features tips to help those newly diagnosed and their families access support and connection opportunities.  It explains brain health, different diagnoses and what to expect and provides practical ideas spanning legal issues, medical considerations, home assessments and emergency planning, as well as practical ways to maintain wellbeing for both the person diagnosed and the carer.

The Mayor of Bath, Cllr Michelle O’ Doherty talking to guests at ReMind UK’s event on 27 June 2024

The directory includes useful resources, as well as a day-by-day listing of activities, groups and event providers to help people plan ahead. Both sections will be regularly updated and are available to download from the ReMind UK website at www.reminduk.org/get-supportor a limited number of hard copies are available on request.

Melissa Hillier, Chief Executive Officer for ReMind UK said: “We were delighted to welcome the Mayor and so many supporters to the launch of our new Guide to Living Well with Dementia.  All were keen to learn about how ReMind UK supports families and carers through our memory clinic, our research activity and our post-diagnosis support for people living with dementia and families.  Dementia affects so many families in the UK and by 2050 it could impact over £2million people so ReMind UK’s work is vital to provide ongoing support for local people and to research future treatments.”

The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Michelle O’ Doherty, said of her visit: “It was inspiring to hear about the breadth of research and support activity ReMind UK is delivering to help people with dementia from diagnosis onwards in Bath and North-East Somerset.  Please help spread the word to friends and family of the many ways they could get involved with ReMind UK, from downloading a copy of the new Guide to Living Well with Dementia, to volunteering, fundraising or taking part in clinical trials to aid research into dementia treatments.”  

Martyn Creeth, is a carer for his wife Sarah who is a patient at ReMind UK said: “This is such a brilliant and positive resource for people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers in the local area. Remind UK has produced this Guide with great care and attention to detail. It is intuitive to use and is a ‘one stop shop’ for everything you might need to know about living well with dementia. Having access to an online version via the website also means the resource can be kept up to date and relevant for people to use.”

ReMind UK is the new name for the Research Institute for the Care of Older People, RICE.  The rebrand followed thorough market research and engagement with those affected by dementia and the public, to inform the new identity and website as part of a National Lottery funded expansion to ReMind UK’s support provision to help more people affected by dementia. The aim of the new branding was to create an easily remembered name and to clarify what the charity does to help those impacted by dementia through its research, memory clinic and support services. 

Nicky Moorey, Melissa Hillier, Tom Welsh, Mayor of Bath Cllr Michelle O’ Doherty and Martyn Creeth at the Remind launch on 27th June

To download the guide visit Guide to living well with dementia – ReMind UK   Or to get involved with ReMind UK’s challenge events, fundraising, research studies or volunteering contact Melissa Hillier at melissa.hillier@remindorg.uk