February Newsletter

Highlights include:

• Our New Website Launch
• 18^th International Dementia Conference Updates
• Upcoming Training Courses in March
• Our Japanese Visitors
• New Memory Cafe Balbriggan
• The Lewy Lounge
• IMMA Horizons Professional Practice
• A New Podcast Series on Dementia
• Brain Health & Dementia Event

New Website

We are excited to launch our updated website — a refreshed version of our old site that’s faster, more user-friendly, and easier to navigate. Take a look and let us know what you think: www.engagingdementia.ie

A huge thank you to ITM Digital in Naas, Co. Kildare, who did a fantastic job bringing this project to life.

Conference Updates

SAVE THE DATE

The 18th International Dementia Conference will be held again at the Athlone Springs Hotel on 13th–14th May 2026. The theme for this year’s Conference will be “Let’s Keep Connecting”.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Early Bird tickets for the Conference are now available from our new website: International Dementia Conference 2026 | Engaging Dementia

SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT

Our Call for Abstracts is now open – you can submit your abstract here: Abstract Submission and Consent Form | Engaging Dementia. The deadline for submissions is Friday Feb 27^th.

If you have any queries, email conference@engagingdementia.ie or call us on 012608138.

Upcoming Courses

We have a number of courses coming up this March:

Creating Meaningful Activities on a Budget – Online | Thursday 19^th March

Book here: Activities Coordinator Course for Dementia | Engaging Dementia

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Workshop – Online | Friday 20^th March     

Book here: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Course Dementia | Engaging Dementia

Sonas Licence Renewal Day – Online | Friday 27^th March

Book here: Sonas Licence Renewal Day | Engaging Dementia

Life Enriching Ways Through Late-Stage Dementia – Online | Thursday 12^th & Thursday 19^th March.

Book here: Life Enriching Ways through Late-Stage Dementia | Engaging Dementia

Sonas Programme Training

Dublin: Day 1: 13th March, Day 2 Online: 17th April & Day 3: 22nd May

Cork: Day 1: 27th March, Day 2 Online: 24th April & Day 3: 29th May

Athlone / Galway: Day 1: 27th March, Day 2 Online: 24th April & Day 3: 29th May

Book here: The Sonas Programme | Engaging Dementia

Japanese Visitors

We were delighted to welcome a small delegation from Japan in January. Shingo Eguchi and Takako Serizawa were visiting to see the Sonas Programme being delivered in Ireland. We were very pleased to have them with us and to share experiences and learning across countries.

Takako was taught Sonas by an Australian Diversional Therapist 20 years ago and have provided SONAS sessions for a lot of elderly people with dementia in Japan. According to Takako, “the results have been very meaningful and fantastic” and that she and “Japanese DT Workers have developed a wonderful SONAS programme that are rooted in Japanese culture”.

New Memory Cafe in Balbriggan

A new Memory Cafe, the Seaview Memory Cafe will open in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin on Tuesday February 17^th. The Cafe will run every 3^rd Tuesday (except August)

The Lewy Lounge

Do you have Lewy Body disease or closely support someone living with the condition? The Emerald Lewy Team in Trinity College Dublin are currently seeking volunteers to complete and provide feedback on a peer support programme called The Lewy Lounge.

For further information contact Dr. Emma O Shea:  Email emma.oshea@ucc.ie or call 0857889499.

IMMA Horizons Professional Practice

IMMA Horizons Professional Practice FREE event: “Yes… But Do You Care?” Exploring Aesthetics, Attention and Ethical Arts Engagement.

Thursday 12th February
10am – 1pm
IMMA Lecture Theatre & Matheson Creativity Hub
Book your place: https://lnkd.in/dgYPtQeS

The event opens in IMMA’s Lecture theatre with a screening of Yes, But Do You Care? by artist Marie Brett, held in the IMMA Collection and marking the culmination of her national tour funded by the Arts Council. In the video piece (that is part of the collection at IMMA) the artist worked closely with DCCN to capture the lived experience of Dementia carers and explores the capacity legislation also. It will be followed by a Q&A with the artist, alongside Damien McGlynn (Create) and Ray Cregan (Dementia Carers Campaign Network).

The programme will then move into a facilitated discussion with Helen Carey (Director, National Sculpture Factory), Francis Halsall (Writer and Academic, Co-Director MA Art in the Contemporary World, NCAD), and Catherine Abbott (Art and Health Manager, Arts Council). Helen will explore the anticipated transformative power of art and the frameworks that support rigorous socially engaged practices. Francis will discuss how attention, perception, and subtle phenomenological conditions shape how audiences encounter and engage with the arts, and Catherine will bring insights on how Arts Council funding and policy can support ambitious, participatory projects.

This event is for artists, carers, those working in healthcare, students, researchers and professionals with an interest in Art and Health.

New Podcast Series

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) has launched a ground-breaking 12-part podcast series called the “Many Faces of Alzheimer’s” which explores dementia through a powerful mix of patient experiences and expert insight. Presenter Fionnuala Sweeney’s father, Tom Sweeney, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after years of experiencing memory issues and died in late 2021. After his death, she realised that for several years he had been keeping his concerns to himself. He had known something was wrong but didn’t seek help because of the stigma surrounding the disease. Fionnuala wanted to do something so that no-one experiencing memory difficulties need ever be afraid to seek help and so contacted PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY at the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION at TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DUBLIN (TIMC), a regional specialist memory service that is pioneering a novel and inclusive approach to the assessment and support of people with cognitive issues and dementia. This podcast series is the result. To listen go to :

THE MANY FACES OF ALZHEIMER’S – YouTube

Brain Health Event

An uplifting and informative public research day dedicated to brain health, dementia and ways to support wellbeing at every stage of life takes place in the Civic Theatre on Wednesday February 25th.

This event is hosted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Dementia Research Network Ireland and is made possible with support from the Health Research Board.

Featuring leading researchers and clinicians from across Ireland, the event will share the latest evidence-based insights in a clear, accessible way and equip attendees with practical actions they can use in everyday life. Local dementia and community services will also be on hand to provide information, advice and resources, making this a valuable opportunity to connect with supports in your area.

Designed for the public, including PLWD and family carers, the event also welcomes researchers and healthcare professionals. Whether you’re looking to understand brain health, stay informed about new research, or connect with support in your community – there is something for everyone.

Above all, this engaging event reinforces a hopeful message: it is never too early or too late to look after our brain health! Brain Health & Dementia is a dementia-inclusive event, and quiet areas will be available.

Booking is essential. To register go to: Brain Health & Dementia Event