We are thrilled to share the success of our recent collaborative event, ‘The Power of Connection: Strengthening Our Dementia Support Network.’

On Wednesday, 10th June, Crane Valley PCN’s Community SWITCH programme brought together more than 25 representatives from local community organisations, charities, support groups, and NHS professionals. The goal? To build a stronger, more connected future for dementia and memory loss support across East Dorset.

The afternoon was filled with enthusiastic discussion, networking, and a shared passion for improving how we support local families and carers.

The Power of Working Together

While an incredible amount of dedicated, unsung work already happens daily across our area, the overarching message of the event was simple: we are stronger together.

By connecting local organisations more closely, sharing vital community knowledge, and referring people directly to each other's services, we can build a more robust safety net. This collaborative effort ensures that residents can easily discover the wealth of support available right on their doorstep.

"The insights, passion, and collaborative spirit brought to the room are exactly what we need to strengthen neighbourhood-wide working across Dorset," says Kate Carroll, Social Prescriber at Crane Valley PCN. "By pulling together under a shared network, we can ensure no one has to navigate this challenging journey alone, and that every resident in East Dorset knows exactly where to turn for help."

Exciting Updates to Community SWITCH

Attendees also received a first look at brand-new developments on the Community SWITCH website, which are designed to make finding and providing help easier than ever:

• For the Public: A brand-new public directory of local dementia and memory loss resources.

• For Our Partners: A dedicated, private online portal where community partners can access helpful tools, guidance, and a shared Community Partner List to streamline collaboration.

Get Involved: Grow Our Network!

The Community SWITCH network is continuously growing. If you run a local group, charity, or support service that wasn't able to make it to the event, we want to hear from you!

Please get in touch to add your details to the platform, get listed in our public resource directory, or gain access to the partner network.

• Contact: Jayne Walton, Digital Care Coordinator, Crane Valley PCN.

• Email: jayne.walton@dorsetgp.nhs.uk