Understanding peer support approaches to young onset dementia: A participatory research approach

This research involved partnership with a local peer led young onset dementia group in Hartlepool. Researchers carried out a series of co-production workshops, developing an understanding of participants previous experience of research and also what mattered to them. The group and researchers decided on 2 focus areas for the research, one being around the group members love of the group and how to support others to set up similar groups. The other was around the researchers experience of carrying out participatory research with the Young Onset Dementia Community.
Workshops were facilitated by an art psychotherapist, where participants discussed their experiences of the group. Later sessions focused their experience on the process of engagement.
The project ended with an exhibition of the created art work, along with distribution of their created booklet.

Two outputs have been planned

1) A guide for people setting up their own peer support group (this is due to concerns about the group not being able to accommodate any further members). Please see below for a link to this research.
2) An output on the specific experiences and research considerations on carrying out a piece of participatory research with young onset dementia community. To include specific concerns around consent,