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Support for young adults
When a parent develops dementia at a younger age, many young adults suddenly find themselves balancing caring with education, work and everyday life. But you're not alone, we're here to support.
Our charity identified that there were a number of young family members who were supporting someone with young onset dementia, but they weren't accessing our carer support groups. When the young adults did attend these groups, they often struggled to relate to those who were caring for their partners and in their 50's and 60's. They were going through different experiences, at a different stage in their lives.
With this in mind, we officially launched the Young Adult Carer Group in 2025, filling the gap in services for those aged 18 to 35. Young Adult Carers deserve the same chance as their peers to learn, grow and thrive.
"Thank you so much! It really helped to just listen to everyone's experiences and be able to express my own." - Young adult carer
Young Adult Carer Group
The aim of the Young Adult Carer Group is to bring young people together in an informal setting to unwind, connect and talk with others who truly understand the journey. This group is aimed at young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, who have or support a family member with young onset dementia. Sessions are often hosted in a relaxed pub setting, where members can participate in the conversations as much or little as they like.
Participants meet others who may share similar experiences and there will always be staff members from Younger People with Dementia on hand to facilitate the session, answer any questions and support with signposting to other organisations and services.
Caring for a parent can feel isolating and overwhelming, but you're not alone.
How often does the group run?
These sessions are ad hoc, meaning they run as often as those who we support feel they need. This is proposed to be four times a year, but this may change.
To join our group, we must support your parent or family member. Our support services currently run in Berkshire, Surrey Heath, North East Hampshire and Farnham.
If you would like to register your interest for our group, please follow the link below:
Young Adult Carer Group Sign Up Form
Please contact Jess Vernon if you have any questions or would like some more information.
07887 530345
Social Events
Every year our team schedule a calendar of social events which we run exclusively for the families we support. These are called “All Together Now” events, and they bring together our service users from all areas. Previous events have included afternoon teas, day trips, three course meals, discos and barn dances.
Younger People with Dementia also deliver events in the community which are open for everybody to attend. The charity’s annual Christmas Concert is our most highly anticipated event of the year, bringing around 200 people together.
Education and Training
We deliver education courses for those diagnosed with young onset dementia and their relatives in conjunction with health and social care professionals from memory clinic services across Berkshire and within Surrey Heath, North East Hampshire and Farnham. We have also provided Cognitive Stimulation Therapy courses, which is a service we are in the stages of planning for.
Need to talk?
No question is too small, and no concern is unimportant. Reach out to us for a listening ear, practical advice, or simply to feel less alone. We’re here for you.
Bhavna's
Story
The transition from child to carer is large and changed me in so many ways. Suddenly I’m the one making decisions, organising things and looking at the bigger picture for every task at hand. When I was younger, I was reliant on her entirely, she embodies the definition of “mother” to the core and I’m proud to be her daughter. Yet now, the roles have been shifted – not reversed – just different, and getting used to that every day is not easy, especially because it’s a transition that does not always make sense to me – it seems to be the wrong way round.
I have often felt restricted with the amount of time I could spend on doing things that I enjoy, as being a carer is a full time role. When we were welcomed into the Younger People with Dementia Charity (YPWD), I realised I could do more. The team are kind and supportive and from speaking with others in similar roles, I realised I actually needed to do more, for me.
Bhavna
