The initial phase of the partnership sees an 18-month contract where the University of Worcester will support Care UK to build consistency, cohesion and continuous improvement into all aspects of dementia care in its 114 homes.

Care UK spent four months evaluating possible academic partners from universities across the UK. After narrowing it down to three, the University was chosen for its strong research base and its determination to develop a tailored programme based on a deep understanding of Care UK’s current and future dementia care services. Worcester already has a fantastic record of delivering high quality research in care homes, and delivering a range of tools to support better care (https://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/association-for-dementia-studies.html)

Announcing the partnership, Care UK’s residential care services managing director Andrew Knight said linking to an academic partner would help Care UK to use the very latest in dementia research to ensure they were at the cutting edge of residential dementia care over the next decade.

“We were particularly impressed by the fact that the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester wanted to develop a really tailored programme which will make a difference to every member of our team from carers and housekeeping colleagues to my executive team,” said Mr Knight.

‚ÄúThe two organisations also have a lot of shared values around respect, seeing people as unique individuals, and recognising the importance of our teams working closely with the family and friends of residents and other members of the community.‚Äù 

Professor Dawn Brooker, director of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester, will lead the team of academics supporting Care UK. Prof. Brooker is internationally recognised for scholarship in practice development of person-centred dementia care and has long established working relationships with practitioners and scholars worldwide.

As part of the contract with the University, Care UK has earmarked over half a million pounds to further improve the care it offers to residents living with dementia. The majority of this money will be spent on one of the most comprehensive programmes of training and awareness building that the organisation has ever embarked upon.