University Dementia Expert Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

A University of Worcester academic has won the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s National Dementia Care Awards.

Professor Dawn Brooker, Director of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University, has spent the last 40 years working to transform the lives of people living with dementia.

Influenced by personal experience of dementia in her family, she has dedicated her career to helping those with dementia, and their families and carers.

“I’m really honoured to have received this Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Professor Brooker. “I have been privileged to have worked with many inspirational people over the years and I now lead a fabulous team of researchers and educators who inspire others every day. This award is a tribute to all those who feel passionately that they want to make a real difference to people whose lives are affected by dementia.”  

The award was given by the Journal of Dementia Care, as part of its annual National Dementia Care Awards, to recognise an exceptional individual who has dedicated a significant portion of their life to improving the quality of life people living with dementia.

In making the award, the judges commented: “Dawn has brought the concept of positive dementia care to the widest possible community, while maintaining the highest standards of academic research and creative project development.”

The news comes in the 10^th anniversary year of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University, which was established by Professor Brooker in 2009. The team is now recognised globally as a leading authority in person-centred care. 

Originally qualified as a clinical psychologist, Professor Brooker enjoys working at the interface between the experience of those living with dementia, care practice and research. 

Earlier this year, Professor Brooker was named in Universities UK’s Nation’s Lifesavers list, which recognises the top 100 individuals and groups in universities whose work is making a life-changing difference to the health and wellbeing of the nation.

“Although attitudes towards dementia are changing, we still have a long way to go,” Professor Brooker said. “Over the last 10 years, our work at the University has enabled us to make a difference in dementia care and when we hear about the impact the work we’re doing here has on people’s lives, it’s a tremendously emotional and often quite humbling experience.”