We are absolutely thrilled to announce the appointment of Simon Denegri OBE as the new Chair of Dementia Disco! This is a pivotal moment in our journey, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome such an influential and respected leader to our team.
Simon is a hugely respected figure in UK health research whose track record for leading transformational change perfectly aligns with our mission. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to making research more inclusive, transparent, and centred around the needs and experiences of people—principles that are fundamentally at the heart of all that Dementia Disco does.
A Powerful Combination of Experience and Heart
Simon brings a wealth of strategic leadership and public advocacy experience that will be instrumental in driving our next chapter of growth and impact:
Strategic Leadership: He recently served as Executive Director of the Academy of Medical Sciences from 2019 to 2025, where he led a staff team that consistently grew income and profile.
Public Involvement & Advocacy: Simon's work as the NIHR National Director for Patients and Chair of INVOLVE saw him spearhead a campaign that resulted in an astonishing 1 million people being recruited to clinical studies in 2019. His expertise in reshaping research culture to truly value public voices will be vital.
Powerful Network: He currently chairs the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Clinical Trials Units (CTU) Network of 53 registered units and also serves as the Chair of Sense About Science.
Crucially, this cause is incredibly close to Simon's heart, as he has a deep personal connection and lived experience of family with dementia. He shared his motivation, stating, "My story in the charity and health sectors begins with my family's experience of Alzheimer's disease in the 80s... Now it's time to write another chapter but a different one."
The Joy of the Disco
After being introduced to our founders, Kate Darby and Nick Shaw, Simon was immediately inspired by Dementia Disco's work. "I know from first-hand experience the positive impact that music can have on people with dementia, their relatives and carers at a time of real emotional hardship," he said. "Dementia Disco is a community-led charity with a big heart but even bigger ambitions."
Simon feels honoured to be entrusted with this role as we collectively set out to "create a world where people living with dementia are empowered to experience joy, connection, and well-being through the power of music and community."
The Board and our CEO are absolutely thrilled to have Simon on board and look forward to working with him to bring our ambitious vision to life!
We were absolutely delighted to help Age UK Stockport celebrate four decades of incredible service in spectacular style! On Thursday 16th October, Dementia Disco brought the music and the moves to Stockport County Football Club's Edgeley Park for the Age UK 40th Birthday Party.
While the day included an AGM and an opportunity for guests to learn more about valuable local services, the true focus was on celebration—and we were there to make sure it was a party to remember!
Pure Joy, Pure Disco
The atmosphere at Edgeley Park was electric. Founders Kate Darby and Nick Shaw spun the tracks, creating a lively, intergenerational dance floor where guests could share memories, connect with friends, and simply experience the pure joy that music brings. The energy was boosted by a performance from the Dementia Choir, leading to a fittingly joyful finale for the morning's events.
The positive feedback was immediate. Hazel Batty, Senior Manager at Age UK Stockport, captured the mood perfectly:
"Such a fabulous time at our Age UK Stockport 40th birthday party today, and a big thanks to Kate Darby and Nick for coming along to support us with the amazing Dementia Disco—we all loved it... 😍 ❤️ It was wonderful to hear about all the amazing work you do."
Celebrating Community
The event, which ran from a 10:30 AM arrival until its wrap-up around 1 PM, was a powerful display of community spirit. It kicked off with a marketplace of information stalls and included light refreshments, but the heart of the day was the shared laughter and dancing brought by the entertainment.
Dementia Disco was honoured to contribute to Age UK's milestone, reinforcing our shared mission to empower people to experience joy and well-being. Here's to many more years of Age UK Stockport continuing their fantastic work!
#AgeAintNothingButANumber
Dementia Disco is all about connecting communities through the power of music, and our mission recently reached a new audience thanks to a fantastic local service! Our CEO had the privilege of spending time with the incredible team at the Stockport Talking Newspaper on Wednesday 1st October, recording a special segment for their listeners.
The visit was a wonderful opportunity to record a 10-minute feature for their weekly audio news, sharing the important mission of Dementia Disco, our community events, and the positive impact music has on people living with dementia, their carers, and their families.
Spreading the Word About an Essential Service
The Stockport Talking Newspaper is a vital, totally free service dedicated to fighting isolation. Every week, they send USB sticks directly to blind or visually impaired residents, keeping them connected to:
Local news from the Stockport Express.
Local history segments.
Quizzes and music.
Crucially, the entire process is designed for complete accessibility, from the weekly delivery to the free return postage.
"We know the value of connection, and services like the Stockport Talking Newspaper are absolutely essential for fighting isolation," said our CEO. "It was an honour to share our story with their listeners and support a service that embodies the spirit of community inclusion."
We want to extend a huge thank you to the dedicated volunteers at Stockport Talking Newspaper for their tireless efforts!
👉 Do you know someone who is blind or visually impaired and would benefit from local audio news? Please encourage them to sign up for this wonderful, free service: https://lnkd.in/gnx6b2ji
#CommunityInclusion #Stockport #Accessibility #DementiaDisco
Get ready to put on your dancing shoes! We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new pilot disco in partnership with Together Dementia Support—bringing the joy of music and community to Wythenshawe!
Wythenshawe Disco: Details and Vibe
This is more than just a party; it's a pilot event to gauge community interest in setting up a regular, monthly Dementia Disco in the area. We are inviting people living with dementia, their carers, family, and friends to join us for an evening of connection and fabulous music.
The Details:
When: Saturday, 1st November, 5–7 PM
Where: Wythenshawe Cricket Club, 78 Longley Lane, Wythenshawe, M22 4JF
Cost: Free to attend, and a free meal will be provided.
Designed by the Community, for the Community
This pilot evening has been a collaborative effort! The wonderful group called Fabulous Forgetful Friends, who are part of Together Dementia Support, have worked alongside us to design the event. They are also helping to run the night and have curated the music, which will feature a fantastic Northern Soul vibe!
We are excited to see if this pilot is the first step toward establishing a regular monthly disco in Wythenshawe, providing ongoing opportunities for connection and well-being through music.
Book Your Spot!
Spaces are filling up fast! Book your tickets now to ensure you don't miss out on this fantastic evening:
For more information, visit our website, call, or email:
Website: www.dementiadisco.org
Call: 0300 102 7042
Email: hello@dementiadisco.org
