Background and Aims Approach Dementia Support and the Douglas Macmillan Hospice (Dougie Mac) joined together, in 2018, as a Strategic Alliance to ensure that local people affected by dementia are able to access the right support at the right time and live their life in the way that they choose, as dementia prevalence and impact increase nationally and locally.

Our vision is… to work together to integrate quality dementia services across our heartland of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

Our mission is… to respond effectively to the growing need for cohesive dementia support across our heartland by collaborating as two organisations with a shared ethos of compassion for the most vulnerable in our community.

Methods and anticipated Results To fulfil our mission and vision, we have prioritised the following strategic aims, which are to:

• Enable a consistent journey from dementia diagnosis to end-of-life.

• Share resources as required to ensure the right support at the right time.

• Increase staff knowledge, skills and resilience as part of a team.

• Develop a carer enablement program from diagnosis to end-of-life.

The introduction of a comprehensive assessment tool allows individuals, carers, Approach and Dougie Mac staff to assess the dementia stage of an individual, thus referrals can be made to the right services for their needs. One such service is the face-to-face support at the Dementia Services Centre, on-site at Dougie Mac, delivered in partnership by the Dementia Liaison Coordinator and Dementia Wellbeing Activity Officer to provide carer support in addition to an interactive stimulating activity session for the person living with dementia.

Conclusion The Alliance will develop a joined-up, holistic model of dementia support for the local community which puts the individual at the centre of their support, thus providing an integrated dementia support offering for local people from diagnosis to end-of-life.