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This week we hand over to Dr Shirley Evans to hear her reflections from the Queen’s University Belfast Dementia Conference, 21 September 2026.
On 21 September 2026, World Alzheimer’s Day, Queen’s University Belfast hosted its fourth annual dementia conference, Dementia: Caring for Today, Planning for Tomorrow. The conference brought together people living with dementia, family carers, researchers, health and social care professionals, students, educators, voluntary organisations and policymakers. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, learn from lived experience and explore how we can respond to the growing challenges and opportunities in dementia care. Held in the historic Great Hall at Queen’s University Belfast, the event focused on both the realities of supporting people affected by dementia today and the need to prepare for the future. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, participants explored practical approaches to improving care and support, while considering how services, communities and policy can adapt to changing needs.
I was really pleased to present with Lee-Ann Clarke (Greenisland Meeting Centre co-ordinator) on Northern Ireland’s first Meeting Centre which opened in September 2026. We spoke about how the Meeting Centre model is supporting people living with dementia and their families through meaningful social connection, personalised support and community engagement. We highlighted the successful partnership working that has enabled Greenisland Meeting Centre to develop and flourish, providing a practical example of how communities can respond positively to the challenges of dementia.
The session generated considerable interest among delegates, particularly those seeking sustainable, community-based approaches to dementia support.
The conference’s greatest strength was its commitment to diverse perspectives, bringing together people living with dementia, family carers, professionals and researchers. Discussions focused on supporting people to live well with dementia and highlighted the importance of partnership working across health, social care, community and academic sectors.
The event showcased research, innovation and promising practice, exploring how emerging evidence can improve care and support. Delegates also emphasised that dementia-inclusive communities require collaboration across housing, transport, education, business and the voluntary sector. The clear message from Belfast was that combining research, practice and lived experience is essential to improving lives and preparing for future challenges.
World Alzheimer’s Day offers an important reminder that dementia affects millions of people and families worldwide. Conferences such as this help ensure that knowledge, innovation and lived experience continue to drive progress towards more inclusive, compassionate and effective support for all.
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