About Essex Dementia Care
Maintaining a positive engagement with all the valued activities of daily life is critical for good health, this belief forms the core of everything we do at EDC.
The ultimate aim of EDC is to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia to continue to live active and fulfilling lives. We work closely with families throughout Essex to ensure that their family members are enabled to live at home for as long as possible. We provide care for people living with dementia whilst also providing respite, emotional support and education for their main care-givers.
We are constantly evaluating and developing our services to meet the needs of the families we help. EDC provides support through both One2One care by experienced ‘Memory Companions’ and our communal activity centres in Bradwell, Braintree, Sandon, Chelmsford, Broomfield Chelmsford, and Springfield Chelmsford.
"Essex Dementia Care are a really caring group of people. They're not like other services where they just sit and talk to you for an amount of time, they understand dementia much more, I notice the different so much"
- Wife of client
At the head of the team is Senior Manager, Kelly, who has a Diploma in Dementia Care amongst other qualifications and years of hands on experience.
Care Manager, Sharon also has years of experience in providing activities for people with dementia.
Our Practitioners are both skilled and caring as they respond to an individual’s wishes, treating them with dignity and helping them to enjoy their time together. They are supported by a training programme of refresher sessions and other related training days.
Kelly Bleasdale
Senior Manager
Kelly has 17 years’ experience working with older people and people with dementia. Kelly has worked for Essex Dementia Care for the past 9 years. Kelly holds a level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care, level 3 Diploma in Dementia, NVQ 2 & 3 in Health & Social Care and Level 2 NAPA Supporting Activity Provision in Social Care. Kelly is the current registered Manager for Essex Dementia Care.
Sharon Jones
Care Manager
Sharon has worked for 18 years with older people and people with dementia and has a particular expertise in delivering therapeutic activities in the care setting. Sharon has worked for Essex Dementia Care for 9 years. Sharon holds her level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care. NVQ level 2 in Health & Social Care, NVQ level 2 Dementia Care and also the level 2 NAPA Supporting Activity Provision in Social Care. Sharon is responsible for referral assessments, client and family support as well as service reviews.
Chris Jullings
CHAIR OF TrusteeS
Chris has been a Trustee with Essex Dementia Care (EDC) since 2015. Before retiring Chris worked in the private sector as Director, Human Resources. Professionally qualified he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. With over 7 years’ experience as a charity Trustee, Chris provides business development advice to charities through his association with the Cranfield Trust. Like many people, his first encounter with dementia was when a family member developed the condition and he experienced first hand the heartbreak of a loved one slowly being changed by the disease. Chris says “Perhaps the greatest gift we can bring in these circumstances is a stimulus that helps our loved one feel reassured and present again. We can shine light into their darkness. EDC shines light every day through its activity centres and through its more tailored one to one activity. I am very proud that we are able to bring happiness and hope to those suffering from dementia and that we are able to support the many loved ones who care for them. I feel privileged to be a part of the Trustee Board that guides and supports the wonderful work that the EDC staff and volunteers do to enrich the lives of those suffering with dementia.”
April Lawlor
Trustee
April has worked in the field of adult social care for nearly forty years and has extensive experience of residential care, day and community support services. April is a qualified social worker and previously worked for Essex County Council as a commissioner with a lead for dementia services. April has been a Trustee with Essex Dementia Care since its inception in 2006.
Mike Clements
TRUSTEE
Mike retired in 2012 having worked in the Group Finance department of a FTSE 250 company for nearly 40 years and is a qualified accountant holding roles such as Planning Accountant, Tax Accountant, Financial Control Manager and Group Pensions accountant. Mike was first appointed as a Trustee of a Pension Fund and a Healthcare Plan in 2003, with added responsibility for preparing the accounts. Before retiring Mike was approached to become an initial Trustee to help with the setup of an Educational Trust charity. Although he has no social care experience to bring to the table, he does have over 15 years in-depth experience of Trustee boards management and finance. Mike has been a Trustee of Essex Dementia care since 2015 and thoroughly enjoys working with his fellow trustees and dedicated staff to ensure that support is given to dementia sufferers and carers. In his spare time Mike goes fishing, watches football and drinks real ale as well as looking after his 2 grandchildren.
Julie Chanel
TRUSTEE
Julie is proud to be a trustee of Essex Dementia Care. and says “I feel I can add value to the trustee board because I have a good understanding of dementia and the journey people go on. I work in a sales and marketing role in care and have been supporting people to move their loved one, often living with dementia, into care homes for nearly twelve years. I enjoy helping families to make the best decision possible.”
Julie supported her own mother who lived with dementia and can really understand and empathise with the family members who are looking for ways to support their loved one on their dementia journey and believes that the services Essex Dementia Care offers are invaluable.
I feel very passionate about supporting people living with dementia and their families. I know there are huge benefits to being in a supportive community filled with love, companionship and kindness.”
Jenny Hyde
TRUSTEE
Jenny had a long career in Adult Education, initially as a tutor, followed by a range of managerial and strategic roles focussed on Community Learning. During her career she worked with many health, social care and local authority colleagues to provide learning opportunities to many people experiencing disadvantage due to myriad issues.
This work brought her into contact with three Chelmsford based charities where she was able to utilise her skills as a trustee, becoming Chair of the Board for Citizens Advice. On leaving adult learning Jenny became CEO of a small charity and then feeling that she had lost touch with learners and clients at grass roots level, made the decision to become an Activity Coordinator with the Alzheimer’s Society.
Working with people experiencing dementia and their loved ones really brought home the challenges faced by those living in these circumstances and a recognition of how important social interaction through activities are for both the person with dementia and their loved ones. Therefore, on retirement, becoming involved with Essex Dementia Care seemed a logical move. Jenny hopes that her strategic, operational and hands-on experience will assist the Trustee Board to deliver their future strategies in supporting even more people affected by dementia.
Anita South
FINANCE/OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & SERVICE CO-ODINATOR
A wealth of experience gained by working in a variety of organisations is proven by her business acumen and administrative skills which are an asset in providing support to the running of the charity.
Mark Hinson
'Memory Companion'
Mark started working for Essex Dementia Care in 2012. Mark works as a specialised ‘Memory Companion’ on a one2one basis as well as working with clients in the activity centres. Mark has completed NCFE Level 2 in The Principles of Dementia Care and Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Mark comes with a range of skills and has recently learnt to play the guitar. Mark is very client focused and always aims to achieve the best possible outcome for the clients he supports.
Nancy Richardson
Activity Centre Leader
Nancy has worked for Essex Dementia Care since May 2013. She is one of our Activity Leaders at our Every Day Counts groups. She is a professional artist and also works delivering therapeutic activity for people in a residential setting. Nancy is a singer and musician which adds to the uplifting atmosphere at our groups. Nancy has an NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care, an NCFE level 2 in Dementia Awareness and a Level 2 NAPA Supporting Activity Provision in Social Care. Nancy is passionate within her role and brings lots of fun and energy to the centres.
Val Spilsbury
Activity Centre Leader
Val has worked for Essex Dementia Care since 2023 and is currently an Activity Centre Leader. Val is a member of a choir and loves singing, many of the choir bookings raise much needed funds for charity.
After working in Human Resources, Val took a career break to raise her family. Since 2019 she has been an Activities Co-ordinator in a care home.
Val is kind and compassionate and knows that regular activities play a key role in keeping the minds and bodies of those on their dementia journey active. EDC activity centres encourage a strong sense of purpose and Val loves being part of that. Val understands that love and kindness can be passed on to both clients and their families through the wonderful work that she and her colleagues achieve for EDC.
Vicki Barnes
Activity Centre Leader
Vicki joined Essex Dementia Care in July 2015 and previously worked as an activity coordinator in a care home. She has completed a level 3 health & Social Care diploma and works in our activity centres and is a One2One ‘Memory Companion’. Vicki shows empathy for those who are living with dementia and enjoys giving guidance and encouraging them to achieve their goals, whilst having fun and living their life to the maximum.