As the final decorations go up and we prepare to welcome 2026, I wanted to take a moment to look back at what has been, quite simply, a "bobby dazzler" of a year. 2025 has been a year of firsts, of record-breaking events, and above all, a year where we proved that a diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of the party.
January & February: A Fresh Look and New Foundations
We started the year with a bang by launching our brand-new website and visual identity. I want to say a massive thank you to Cynthia Ghernati for creating our incredible new branding and to Rebeccca Hodgson for helping us define exactly what we want to represent. The process was a joy, and the result is a website that is fun, inclusive, and oh-so-sassy! If you haven't yet, please do take a tour.
February was all about community and creativity. I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Pure Innovations Grey Horse Studios in Heaton Norris. The energy there was infectious, and I was so impressed by the animations and artwork being produced. A huge thanks to Rhys Jones for inviting me onto the radio station; we had a fantastic time discussing Dementia Disco and spreading the word.
March: The Big Fundraiser and The NEC
On 1st March, we held our Dance Against Dementia fundraiser at the Stockport Masonic Guildhall. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. The atmosphere, created by Hollowsphere AV’s beautiful lighting and that massive screen, was electric. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who bought tickets, merch, or raffle prizes, we raised enough to cover our core running costs for over 12 months. This allows us to focus on what matters: opening more free discos.
A huge thank you to our sponsors: Elder, musicMagpie, Visiting Angels Manchester South, Maverick Finance LLP, and THP Law. Our gratitude also goes to artists like Clint Boon, Steve Flynn, and Roukaya B, and our incredible volunteers who kept the night running smoothly.
Later in March, I attended the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Show at the NEC. It was an inspiring, emotional day. I learned about the future of blood biomarkers for early diagnosis, the power of sensory simulations to understand the patient’s perspective, and the hopeful new treatments being developed at the UCL drug discovery institute.
In March, we also launched our Dance Against Dementia Campaign. We danced for 66.7 days to represent the 66.7% diagnosis target that was removed from NHS guidance. We saw kitchen boogies, Zumba classes, and even a Stockport County takeover! The campaign concluded with a monumental 12-mile dance-a-thon from Mossley to Stockport, logging a final total of 5,668 dances which were officially handed over to Rachel Wise.
In April, we celebrated the launch of our Poynton disco at the Legion Club, welcoming nearly 50 guests. May was equally busy; I visited the House of Commons for the Independent Venue Community Charity launch and attended the Stockport Rocks awards. While we didn't win the "Stockport Moves" award, being shortlisted among such energy made us feel like winners regardless.
June – August: Growth and Golden Moments
In June, we were delighted to appoint Matthew Neilson as our new Treasurer. With his background as a Head of Finance and his secret life as a ‘bedroom DJ,’ Matt is a perfect fit for our spirit.
August took us to the seaside for our annual trip to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. It was our biggest trip to date, with two coaches of disco-goers enjoying afternoon tea and a dance on that world-famous floor, thanks to the Mottram Jive Club and Cheadle Rotary.
September was a whirlwind of networking, from Stockroom in Stockport to the East Cheshire Hospice. I took part in a powerful dementia simulation exercise that was truly eye-opening—it gave me an insight into what my dad must have felt, and it reinforced why our work is so vital. We were also the charity chosen for Steady’s Race Night, where John and Cathy Stead raised an incredible £2,074.50 for us.
October brought a pivotal moment: the appointment of Simon Denegri OBE as the new Chair of Dementia Disco. Simon’s experience in health research and his experience loved ones with dementia make him the ideal leader for our next chapter.
We also explored the "Music in Mind" sessions with Manchester Camerata and celebrated Age UK Stockport’s 40th Birthday.
November: The Mayor and the Media
November was a month of high-profile support. We were thrilled to welcome Andy Burnham to our disco in Heaton Mersey. Seeing him join in a line dance to Elvira with our queen Sally was a highlight of the year! Andy’s support for our plan to expand across Greater Manchester means the world to us.
We also ran a successful Pop-Up Shop in Merseyway, organised by Sector 3, and were featured in both The Metro and the Alzheimer’s Society magazine. These features allowed us to share the story of why we started—creating a place for my dad, Brian, where he could just be himself and listen to Bruce Springsteen.
We concluded our year in the most magical way possible. I was honoured to be invited to The Royal Foundation’s "Together at Christmas" Carol Service at the Coronation Street studios. From the Salford Cathedral Choir to a surprise visit from Santa at the Rovers Return, it was a night of pure community spirit. Receiving a message from HRH The Princess of Wales about the importance of connection was a perfect reflection of everything we strive for at Dementia Disco.
Finally, our Christmas Party in Poynton broke all records with 104 guests. A massive thank you to Helen Heginbotham for the amazing Christmas dinner, and to all the volunteers and donors who made our biggest disco to date such a success.
Thank you to every single person who has supported, danced, donated, or volunteered this year. You are the heartbeat of this charity. Here’s to an even bigger, louder, and more joyful 2026!
