'Voices of My Past' is a project which see’s staff at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) putting research into practice, offering a different way of supporting people living with dementia who hear voices.

The project was one of only three to receive a grant from Dementia Services Development Trust's Disruption Awards in 2023.

The project includes specially trained staff understanding the voices someone hears while living with dementia and looking to reconnect this experience with previous memories, trauma or other life events that may have become disconnected due to the person’s dementia.

This then leads to different ways to support the person and their family. By understanding what the person is hearing and experiencing, this enables us to really tailor and adapt the support which we give to that individual.

Since commencing the project in September 2023, we have seen a total of 18 people living with dementia and hearing voices. This is a higher number than we expected but has proven to be incredibly worthwhile and successful in changing the outcome for these people, improving their quality of life and supporting their acceptance of their experiences.

The project was also presented at the recent Dementia 2024 Conference in London and received great interest from conference attendees.

Some examples of the project in action are detailed below:

Female patient A, hearing male voice. Extremely frightened and distressed leading to not going out, spending long periods of time in great distress and low mood, husband struggling to cope. Started on anti-psychotic medication. After our assessment, we completed a ‘voice profile’ to help understand the nature of her voice hearing. We then worked with her to structure and limit the time she was spending interacting with her voice. We then gradually reduced these times. After 6 months, she is no longer troubled by the voice. She is back going out with her husband; her distress has completely gone, and she has stopped her antipsychotic medication. Her quality of life has greatly improved.

Female patient B, hearing two voices. Very frightened and frustrated with partner.  Unable to sleep due to voices and becoming agitated and extremely anxious. Mood very low and expressing some suicidal ideas, also felt compelled to listen and interact with voice, becoming confused. Initial assessment and voice profile completed. This revealed the potential identity of voice. Therapeutic work completed then to change the ‘power balance’ and understand the relationship between the patient and the way the voice was making her feel. This then led to significant improvements in her mood, with her gaining more control and feeling less confused.

All patients we have seen so far have offered incredibly positive feedback on the impact the project has made to their day-to-day lives.

Next Steps….

In addition to the individualised work with people living with dementia, the project is also developing educational tools for people living with dementia and their families, as well as care staff in offering more compassionate and person-centred understanding and support.

This will include guidance booklet with advice, suggestions and training techniques.

Written by David Storm

Associate Director
Access & Community CBU
North Cumbria Locality