Past Events
Open Networking Meeting 28th January 2026 - Dementia Active
Dementia Active is a charity with an established track record in providing social activity groups for people with dementia.
Our Vision
A United Kingdom where every adult living with dementia has access to a structured programme of cognitive stimulation and meaningful social interaction - fundamental to managing the impact of the disease and enhancing quality of life.
Our Mission
We aim to build a nationwide network of Dementia Active centres that provide life-enhancing cognitive stimulation and social support. By working alongside families, carers, and communities, we help people with dementia stay connected, capable, and at home in the world they know and love - for as long as possible.
Dementia is an illness which can isolate people from former friends. The value of spending time with others who can share this sense of isolation cannot be overestimated.
- We aim to create a sense of community where no one need feel apologetic or uncomfortable about not being able to do those things which in the past would have been straightforward.
- Conversation is encouraged - both socially, particularly when people arrive and over lunch, but also in more structured reminiscence sessions.
- Group activities are opportunities to be playful.
- The benefits overall are raised energy levels and improved cognition.
About the WBC
The WBC open meetings are just that, open to all business categories. In general we have an interesting speaker from the public or private sector and on occasion from a local charity. The event offers plenty of time for networking, both before and after the event and a great breakfast. These meetings are a great place to further improve your network contacts and build on the connectivity between businesses locally. Guests are therefore very welcome to attend whether new to networking or a seasoned pro, we always look forward to meeting you.
Itinerary
Meet and Greet
07:00 - 07:30
Meet up you for an early networking session amongst other business owners.
Guest Speaker & Questions
07:30 - 08:00
Join us to listen to our speaker this month who will be sharing lots of information about their business.
Breakfast
08:00 - 08:30
Join us for a great Littlebury Breakfast to help kick start your day and continue your conversation with like minded businesses.
Referrals and Guest Introductions
08:30 - 08:45
hear from our guests about their businesses and what we can help them with. We will also share referrals amongst the group.
Close
08:45 - 09:55
We generally close around 08:45am but guest are welcome to continue to network after the meeting.
Speakers
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Founder, CEO, Group Leader
Andy is the founder of a new and innovative service which provides daytime activities for people living with dementia.
He has a wide experience of care services for older people including working as a home carer, providing support to enable people with dementia to stay in their own homes. As a result of his first wife’s diagnosis with a rare form of vascular dementia in 2016 he is therefore acutely aware of how difficult life can be in trying to support a loved one and give them the best life has to offer.
His aim along with the rest of the Dementia Active team is to provide a safe and welcoming environment, where people with dementia can relax and join in activities designed to support and maintain their ability levels. Crucially this provides family members with some much needed time to themselves.
Andy has a particular interest in developing activities using the principles underlying Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). This seeks to stimulate and utilise people’s cognitive strengths in order to help them maintain their lives in their own homes.
Going
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Helen Tooby -
Paul Wildman -
Graham Perryman -
Andy Gill -
Peter Cox -
Paul Colley -
Deborah Gregory -
Ian Gifford -
Alan Hine -
Steve Nicholls -
Kalam Abul -
John Staley -
Robert Peckham -
David Babister