Dementia UK and Admiral Nurses

What Dementia UK does

Dementia UK is a national charity that supports families affected by all forms of dementia through Admiral Nurses, dementia specialist nurses with focused training and supervision. The charity was founded in 1995 and operates across all four UK nations.

The Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline

The Helpline is free, confidential, and available anywhere in the UK:

• Phone: 0800 888 6678;
• Email: clinics@dementiauk.org;
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm (closure 12 to 1pm); Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.

Calls are taken by Admiral Nurses, who provide specialist clinical advice, emotional support and signposting. For complex situations, follow-up email or arranged callback can extend the support over weeks.

Closer to Home meet-ups

Online and in-person group sessions, free and run by Admiral Nurses. Open to family carers anywhere in the UK. Topics covered include managing behavioural symptoms, end-of-life care, navigating the care system and looking after yourself.

Community-based Admiral Nurses

Beyond the Helpline, Admiral Nurses are based in:

• NHS community teams in some regions;
• Hospitals (acute and community);
• Hospices;
• Care homes;
• Primary care networks;
• Some local authority dementia services.

Coverage is patchy. Where a community Admiral Nurse exists, they typically visit at home and support families over months and years.

Dementia UK publications and resources

Free resources include detailed leaflets on most aspects of dementia care, a regular magazine, and online learning for families. The website (dementiauk.org) is a substantial library.

Supporting Dementia UK

The charity is funded by donations and fundraising. Most services are free at the point of use. Support can be given through:

• One-off or regular donations;
• Fundraising events (Marathon, Time for a Cuppa);
• Legacy giving;
• Corporate partnerships;
• Volunteering.

How Dementia UK relates to other charities

Dementia UK and Alzheimer's Society are sister UK national dementia charities with complementary roles. Alzheimer's Society focuses more broadly on awareness, community services (Memory Cafes, Singing for the Brain), information and research, with Dementia Connect Support Line for advice. Dementia UK focuses specifically on the Admiral Nurse model of specialist family support. Many families use both.