Disrupting Dementia, together: My first Disruption Awards as Chair
When I accepted the role of Chair of the Dementia Trust in March, I did so with both a deep sense of responsibility and a personal connection that fuels my commitment. Like so many others, my understanding of dementia isn’t just academic or strategic—it’s personal.
Dylan Harper is Chair of the Dementia Trust and a passionate advocate for inclusive, person-led innovation.
My grandfather is currently living with frontotemporal dementia. I still remember the first signs—the slight changes in behaviour, the confusion over once-familiar routines, and eventually, the emotional impact it took on our family. And yet, amid the challenges, there have also been powerful moments of connection—music that still stirs something within him, laughter over shared moments together, and the opportunity to continue living life, having fun, and being family—together. These reflections remind me why our work matters.
Those experiences ground me in the work we do at the Trust. They remind me that dementia is not just a medical condition; it's a human experience. One that demands compassion, creativity, and above all, disruption.
That's why I am excited as Chair of the Trust to share we opened our applications for the 2025 Disruption Awards on Monday 2nd June.
What Are the Disruption Awards?
The Disruption Awards are at the heart of our belief that meaningful change happens when we challenge assumptions, listen deeply, and support ideas that don’t always fit traditional boxes. We provide up to £15,000 (this is new for 2025, with us previously offering grants of up to £10,000) to grassroots initiatives that co-create with people living with dementia and carers to bring something new into the world—something bold, thoughtful, and catalytic.
These are not research grants or service top-ups. They are investments in imagination. They are belief, made tangible. And in 2025, we want to fund 2–3 projects that continue the extraordinary legacy of innovation, inclusion and hope with this increased funding level.
Why Disruption Is Needed Now More Than Ever
In the UK, around 944,000 people are living with dementia—a number expected to exceed 1 million by 2030 (Source: Alzheimer’s Research UK, 2024). Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK (ONS, 2023), and yet it remains one of the most underfunded and misunderstood health conditions. The cost to the UK economy is estimated at £34.7 billion annually, with unpaid carers contributing an estimated £13.9 billion of that (Source: Alzheimer’s Society, 2024).
But beyond the statistics are the countless individual lives impacted—families adapting, communities supporting, people finding meaning and connection in new ways. The Disruption Awards recognise that systemic transformation starts with small, human-centred interventions—disruptive in method, restorative in impact.
Three Stories of Impact
When we speak of legacy, I think immediately of some of the previous award recipients whose work continues to reverberate far beyond their initial scope.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's 'Reconnect' programme is one such story.
The ReConnect programme, which has been running since 2013, aims to improve patients’ and carers’ sense of wellbeing and quality of life, bringing people together through music to connect, communicate and enjoy spending time together.
They understood that music isn’t just entertainment—it’s memory, it’s identity, it’s medicine. Their Disruption Award enabled them to expand their already-groundbreaking work, using live orchestral experiences to stimulate memory, forge connection and enrich lives. I had the privilege of attending a session within one of their other related projects last month, and I will never forget the way one participant’s entire posture shifted when a familiar piece of music began to play—as if music had gently restored a sense of self.
Then there is 'Only One Six', a deeply affecting short film born from collaboration with South Asian carers in Crawley. Its strength lies in the specificity of its lens—the cultural stigmas, the language barriers, the intergenerational expectations that shape the experience of dementia in ethnic minority communities. Too often, these perspectives are sidelined. But this project dared to centre them, creating visibility, dignity and an enduring tool for awareness and dialogue.
Parveen Khan, bilingual memory navigator from Carers Support West Sussex talks with Sonia Mangan about the impact and value of the film.
And 'Voices of My Past', developed within the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, turned a difficult, often-misunderstood phenomenon—auditory hallucinations in dementia—into an opportunity for empathy and therapeutic intervention. Rather than pathologising, it asked, "What if these voices are stories struggling to be heard?" That question alone disrupted not just practice, but perception.
Each of these projects redefines what support, creativity and agency look like in the context of dementia. Each reflects the spirit of the awards—unafraid, person-led, and radically hopeful.
A Collective Endeavour
While this is my first year as Chair, I am far from alone in steering this vision forward. I am surrounded by a Board of Trustees who bring not just governance expertise, but lived experience, sector insight and deep compassion. From policy leaders and academics to carers and advocates, our board reflects the diverse, determined community we serve.
I’m continually inspired by the expertise and dedication of individuals including those on this year's Disruption Award application review panel—trustees Professor Eddie Duncan, whose academic leadership at the University of Stirling strengthens our research-informed approach; Dr Peter Murdoch, whose frontline NHS experience brings clinical nuance and empathy to every decision; and our Trust Advisor Sonia Mangan, whose work in community-based care challenges us to be more inclusive, more responsive, and more grounded in the realities of those we serve.
I am particularly grateful to those who have shaped the Disruption Awards since their inception. It is their commitment to accessible funding, peer support, and open sharing that makes our model so distinctive. Special thanks also go to our Advisors, who bring wisdom and curiosity to every applicant conversation, ensuring we remain grounded in real-world insight.
And to our previous awardees—thank you. You have shown us what is possible when we invest not in outcomes, but in vision. Your courage lights the path forward.
How to Apply
If you're reading this and wondering whether your idea is “disruptive enough” or "ready enough," let me say this: the best ideas don’t arrive fully formed. What matters most is your insight, your intention, and your willingness to co-create with those who have lived experience of dementia.
Stage 1 of the application process is deliberately light-touch. A short online form by 9 July 2025 is all it takes to get started. From there, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a friendly conversation with a Trustee and Advisor to explore your idea further.
We fund people, not just projects. We fund learning, not just delivery. And we remain alongside you throughout—providing an Advisor, peer support, and help with evaluation and storytelling. You keep all intellectual property. We just ask that you share your journey, so others can learn from it.
The Power of Disruption
When we talk about disruption, we don’t mean noise for noise’s sake. We mean thoughtful challenge. We mean brave ideas. We mean doing differently for the sake of doing better.
Dementia is one of the defining social challenges of our time. It intersects with inequality, ageing, loneliness, and identity. And while no single project can transform the whole system, each act of disruption sends ripples.
A carer who feels less alone. A community who starts a new conversation. A tool, a story, a song that lingers in someone’s memory and makes life just that little bit better.
That’s what we’re here for. And that’s what I hope you will join us in pursuing.
Apply. Share. Disrupt. Together, let’s reimagine what’s possible.
How Can I Support the Disruption Awards?
If you’re inspired by the ambition of the Disruption Awards and want to support our mission, there are a few powerful ways you can help:
Make a donation. Your financial support directly enables us to fund more transformative projects across the UK. Every contribution, large or small, helps bring fresh ideas to life that improve the lives of people affected by dementia. Visit dementiatrust.org/donate to contribute.
Fundraise for us. Whether it's hosting a coffee morning, running a marathon, or taking part in a community event like the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday 14 September 2025, you can raise funds to support the next wave of Disruption Award recipients. By selecting the Dementia Trust as your chosen charity, you ensure 100% of what you raise (plus Gift Aid) goes directly to the cause.
Partner with us. We welcome partnerships with organisations who share our values and commitment to innovation in dementia care. If your business or foundation would like to discuss supporting the Disruption Awards or our wider work, please get in touch.
Together, we can continue to back bold ideas—and the brave people behind them.