dementia ni
Dementia NI is a member-led Northern Ireland charity providing free peer support, advocacy, and services—including 16 Empowerment Groups and the Herbert Protocol—for people living with dementia. Founded in 2015 and charity-funded, it operates across every Health and Social Care Trust area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersBelfast, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What dementia ni does
Dementia NI is a member-led charity founded on 15 January 2015 by five individuals living with dementia to ensure their voices are heard in decisions affecting their lives. The organisation operates exclusively in Northern Ireland and is structured as a company limited by guarantee (NI628713) registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC106148). It positions itself as the only member-led dementia charity in the region, with people who have dementia centrally involved in governance—members elect representatives to the Board of Trustees through the Member Forum established in June 2024, and a member with dementia (Allison Batchelor) serves as Co-Chair.
dementia ni firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- dementia ni
- Legal name
- Dementia NI
- Website
- https://dementiani.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dementia NI is a member-led Northern Ireland charity providing free peer support, advocacy, and services—including 16 Empowerment Groups and the Herbert Protocol—for people living with dementia. Founded in 2015 and charity-funded, it operates across every Health and Social Care Trust area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
dementia ni industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dementia Support and Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dementia Companion & Engagement Care (HSABAEAA)
Keywords
Where dementia ni is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belfast
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
dementia ni business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Dementia NI relies entirely on donations from the public to fund its operations. The organization receives donations through its website (Enthuse platform), JustGiving, Facebook fundraising, cheque payments by post, bank transfers, and in-person at their office. Every donation stays within Northern Ireland to support local people with dementia.
- Charitable Grants: Dementia NI receives funding from charitable foundations and government/community funders. In 2015, the organization secured funding from Atlantic Philanthropies to develop Empowerment Groups and employ staff. In 2019, funding was secured from the National Lottery Community Fund for the Empower and Support project. The organization also receives support through corporate partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free membership for people with dementia |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
dementia ni product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dementia NI is a member-led charity that provides free peer support, empowerment groups, information, and advocacy for people living with dementia in Northern Ireland. Its core offerings include 16 Empowerment Groups across every Health and Social Care Trust area, the In The Same Boat telephone support service, the Herbert Protocol safety initiative with PSNI, the Dementia JAM Card communication tool, and a Member Forum for advocacy and governance participation.
Product overview
Dementia NI is a member-led charity organization that provides a range of interconnected services centered around empowering people with dementia to live well and drive positive change. The core offerings include Empowerment Groups (peer support groups operating throughout Northern Ireland), the In The Same Boat Service (one-to-one peer support for newly diagnosed individuals), the Herbert Protocol (a safety initiative with PSNI to help locate missing persons with dementia), and the Dementia JAM Card (a communication support tool adapted for people with dementia). Supporting services include membership with benefits, Member Forum for advocacy, consulting and engagement services where members inform organizations about dementia-inclusive practices, Buddy Scheme, Tablet Loan Scheme, downloadable educational resources, and awareness training programs. The organization operates across all Health and Social Care Trust areas in Northern Ireland with approximately 16 Empowerment Groups serving more than 100 members.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Empowerment Groups Peer support groups operating throughout Northern Ireland providing places for members with dementia diagnoses to come together, share experiences, and support one another in a relaxed informal environment. Groups meet regularly for approximately two hours with staff facilitation and volunteer support.
- In The Same Boat Service A peer support service where established Dementia NI members volunteer to provide one-to-one telephone support to people recently diagnosed with dementia, allowing them to share experiences with someone who has experienced similar challenges.
- Herbert Protocol A life-saving initiative launched in partnership with the PSNI that enables people with dementia to maintain independence while providing police with essential information that can help locate them quickly if they become lost or go missing.
- Dementia JAM Card An award-winning communication card adapted from the NOW Group's original JAM Card, allowing people with dementia or memory problems to discreetly request extra patience when they need it. Available as a physical business card and key fob, and as a smartphone app.
- Member Forum A representative body of Dementia NI members that enables members to ensure their voices are heard, identify and develop campaigns for change, and steer the organization's strategies. Forum members elect representatives to the Board of Trustees.
- Dementia NI Membership Free membership program specifically for people in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of dementia. Includes access to Empowerment Groups, In The Same Boat peer support, the Buddy Scheme, and various activities including reading groups, sporting activities, and opportunities to participate in research and consultations.
- Consulting and Engagement Services Services where Dementia NI members use their lived experiences to consult with organizations including community groups, sports associations, retailers, and service providers on how to make their services, environments, and venues more appropriate for people living with dementia.
- Buddy Scheme A scheme that helps restore lost self-esteem by enabling members to learn new skills or re-establish old ones, with support from other people with a diagnosis.
- JAM Card Awareness Training Training program that provides organizations with knowledge to ensure JAM Card users feel welcome. Businesses that complete the training can become 'JAM-Friendly' and display the JAM-Friendly sticker.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 100 members supported across Northern Ireland
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use dementia ni
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
dementia ni technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
dementia ni partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and primary.
- Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)coreDementia NI partnered with PSNI to bring the Herbert Protocol to Northern Ireland. The Herbert Protocol is an information-gathering form that helps police locate people with dementia who may have become lost. Dementia NI members, all of whom have a diagnosis of dementia, co-designed the form with PSNI, drawing on their lived experiences to ensure it would be useful and accessible.
- Department of Health (Northern Ireland)coreThe Department of Health is a partner in the Herbert Protocol initiative, supporting the rollout across Northern Ireland. Former Health Minister Robin Swann championed the initiative.
- Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs)corePCSPs partnered with Dementia NI and PSNI on the Herbert Protocol initiative, supporting local rollout and awareness-raising events across Northern Ireland.
- NOW GroupsupportingDementia NI adapted the award-winning JAM Card (Just A Minute), originally developed by the NOW Group for people with learning disabilities and autism, for people living with dementia/memory problems. Dementia NI offers the Dementia JAM Card and key fob, and also provides JAM Card Awareness Training to help organizations become 'JAM-Friendly'.
- ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, Ulster HallprimaryThese major Belfast event venues announced Dementia NI as their charity partner for the year ahead, providing fundraising support, employee engagement, and visibility opportunities.
- Queen's University BelfastsupportingDementia NI has partnered with Queen's University Belfast on multiple projects including: the Kids' Dementia Game developed during Global Intergenerational Week, and a smart object locator device designed by students to help people with dementia maintain independence.
- Ards and North Down Borough CouncilsupportingDementia NI members from the Bangor group worked with Ards and North Down Borough Council in the design and development of a sensory garden in Ward Park. Members provided consultation on accessibility features including enclosed spaces, bench placement, ground materials, and sensory plantings.
- Shared History Interpretive Project (SHIP)supportingDementia NI members co-produced the reminiscence book 'Recalling Past Memories' with SHIP, providing input on memories that would be most evocative for people with dementia and advising on layout and accessibility.
- Rock ChoirsupportingFor World Alzheimer's Month 2024, Dementia NI teamed up with award-winning contemporary choir Rock Choir to launch a heartfelt song highlighting the power of community, peer support, and music in helping people live well with dementia.
- BreezemountsupportingLocal delivery firm Breezemount teamed up with racing champion Colin Turkington to support Dementia NI and raise funds for the charity.
- Health and Social Care Trusts (Northern Ireland)coreDementia NI members work with all five HSC Trusts across Northern Ireland on various initiatives including training videos for healthcare staff, consultation on dementia-friendly facilities (such as Craigavon Hospital's Quiet Room), and participation in the Regional Dementia Strategy implementation alongside Dementia Together NI.
- Southern and South Eastern Health TrustssupportingDementia NI members participated in the 'Hear Our Voice' documentary project launched in January 2025, providing insight into the lives of those living with dementia to educate and promote understanding.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
dementia ni competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Young Dementia UK: UK charity supporting people of working age affected by dementia. Several Dementia NI members (e.g., Frances Cousley diagnosed at a relatively early age) reflect this population; services overlap in providing tailored peer support and advocacy.
- Lewy Body Society: UK charity dedicated specifically to Lewy Body Dementia, which is represented among Dementia NI's members (e.g., Pat Cullinan and Rodney James). Comparable in supporting people with specific dementia diagnoses through information and community support.
Others
- Carers Trust: UK charity network supporting unpaid carers, including those caring for people with dementia. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but operates in the same donor and partnership ecosystem and works with many of the same HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland.
- NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action): Umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in NI, in whose Belfast building Dementia NI is headquartered. Not a peer in service terms, but a key infrastructure partner influencing policy, funding access, and sector development.
Broad incumbents
- Age NI: Northern Ireland arm of Age UK focused on later-life issues including support for older adults with dementia and their families. Operates in the same NI geography and beneficiary population but addresses a broader set of older persons' issues beyond dementia.
- Alzheimer's Research UK: UK's leading dementia research charity funding scientific research into causes, prevention, and treatment. Not a direct peer on services, but comparable in brand, fundraising scale, and mission to defeat dementia; competes for donor mindshare and corporate partnerships.
- Alzheimer's Society: The largest UK dementia charity, providing information, support, research funding, and campaigning across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Directly overlaps with Dementia NI's mission to support people with dementia, but operates at a much larger, UK-wide scale and is not member-led in the same authentic way.
Direct peers
- Innovations in Dementia: A UK charity that works directly with people with dementia to amplify their voices, influence services, and develop community-based projects. Closely comparable to Dementia NI's member-led and co-design approach, especially around advocacy and engagement work.
- Dementia UK: UK charity focused on specialist dementia support through Admiral Nurses and family/carer-facing services. Highly comparable in mission to improve life for people with dementia, with overlapping services such as helplines and tailored support, though model is nurse-led rather than peer/member-led.
Regional players
- Dementia Together NI: Regional Northern Ireland partnership initiative referenced alongside Dementia NI in the Regional Dementia Strategy implementation. Comparable as a NI-focused dementia organisation working in the same statutory ecosystem and beneficiary population.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
dementia ni social profiles
Digital presencedementia ni compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
dementia ni financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
dementia ni leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
dementia ni funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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dementia ni M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about dementia ni
What does dementia ni do?
Dementia NI is a member-led charity that provides free peer support, empowerment groups, information, and advocacy for people living with dementia in Northern Ireland. Its core offerings include 16 Empowerment Groups across every Health and Social Care Trust area, the In The Same Boat telephone support service, the Herbert Protocol safety initiative with PSNI, the Dementia JAM Card communication tool, and a Member Forum for advocacy and governance participation.
Is dementia ni a public or private company?
dementia ni is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was dementia ni founded?
dementia ni was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is dementia ni based?
dementia ni is headquartered in Belfast, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does dementia ni make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are charitable Grants.
Who are dementia ni's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Young Dementia UK and Lewy Body Society. Others are Carers Trust and NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action). Broad incumbents are Age NI, Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society. Direct peers are Innovations in Dementia and Dementia UK. Dementia Together NI is listed as a regional player.
Does dementia ni have an API?
No public API is recorded for dementia ni.
What industry is dementia ni in?
dementia ni's product category is Dementia Support and Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAF, Elder Services & Aging Support, with a secondary code of HSABAEAA, Dementia Companion & Engagement Care. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.