Meet the Team
Shirley Pearce, Founder, CEO and Lead Trainer
I am a retired dementia specialist occupational therapist with experience in memory clinics, day centres, hospitals, social services, care homes, domiciliary and family care. I have also worked as a care assistant in a residential home, domiciliary care worker for a home care agency, and as a private live-in carer and dementia troubleshooter.
As I worked alongside people with dementia and their families, I identified a gap between dementia awareness and a real understanding of the way that the condition affects the person.
I set up Understanding Dementia to try and bridge that gap, in order to lessen the impact of dementia on people living with it and on those caring for them.
Lucy White, Marketing, Fundraising and Training Officer
I come from a Fundraising and Charity Marketing background, having previously worked for Age UK and Guide Dogs for the Blind. I began working with Understanding Dementia in Summer 2019, after volunteering with them for a few months.
My role includes managing our social media accounts and supporter database; writing copy for our website and offline materials; overseeing design and print and arranging and promoting our fundraising events. I also co-ordinate all our dementia courses and facilitate our Facebook support groups. I love the fact that having joined the charity early in its development, I have contributed to its growth.
Having observed our training for both family carers and health and care professionals, I have seen first-hand the difference the courses have made to participants’ abilities to support the people with dementia for whom they care, and how it has improved their own well-being. I am proud to work for an organisation that continues to help so many people with dementia and their carers.
For questions about the training, our booklet, or any fundraising events or ideas, I can be contacted via Contact Us.
Martin Solway, Honorary Chair
Dementia is particularly personal to me, having lost my mother to young onset Alzheimer’s, and my grandmother to another form of dementia. I know how tough it can be on those caring, whether family members or professional carers, so providing support through a proven approach to help improve wellbeing was a key motivating factor for me to join Understanding Dementia.
I have been fortunate to have worked all over the world in various leadership positions in the energy sector, and now run a boutique strategy consulting and coaching business. With the brilliant team we have in place, I am focused on drawing from our diverse experiences and skill sets to support as many people as possible. We can therefore deliver our purpose of reducing the impact of dementia on those who live with it.
Mary Kareem-Osho, Honorary Treasurer
I am an associate member of Associate Chartered institute of Management Accountants (ACMA), with experience in both corporate and nonprofit organisations. I am looking forward to supporting the charity with my skills and learning more about the work it provides.
Four years ago, I attended a conference where I visited the dementia charity’s stall and pledged to be involved in some way in the future. Until now, I’ve not had the opportunity to do so, with the exception of providing financial support and wearing a Friends of Dementia badge.
In conversation with Shirley, the CEO, I understand that the treasurer role became available and I felt compelled to say yes, as this was the opportunity I had been waiting for to use my skills to support the charity. I am excited to join the passionate team who are making a difference to families and the care industry.
I am a mother of four. I enjoy watching football and gardening.
Nathalie Fincham, Honorary Secretary
Over the past decade I have seen first-hand the impact that dementia has on loved ones and their families. It was this personal experience that made me want to join Understanding Dementia. Now I can contribute to the unique and valuable service this charity offers which has such a positive impact on those living with dementia.
Coming from the Pharmaceutical Industry, where I have worked for over 20 years in a variety of commercial and leadership roles, I am able to bring a wide variety of skills and experiences to Understanding Dementia.
I feel very privileged to be part of the team and I am immensely passionate about the work our charity performs to ensure that we can support both patients and carers in the local community.
Lynne Kentish, Training Officer
I originally worked both in theatre and the music business, and founded the anti-fur campaigning organisation, Lynx. But after caring for both parents and an aunt with dementia, I became a Specal practitioner and worked as a trainer and presenter for the Contented Dementia Trust before joining Shirley at Understanding Dementia.
I was also an ‘Expert by Experience’ for Age UK, working alongside CQC inspectors in care homes and hospitals, talking to residents, patients and relatives about their experiences, observing their care and feeding back into the final reports.
I am full of admiration for people with dementia, who are coping brilliantly with their condition. Once you understand how dementia affects their memory system, and learn simple ways to maintain their well-being, you can really make a difference by working with their disability rather than against it.
