Dementia Services Development Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £50,000-£60,000 (estimated based on 2-3 awards of up to £15,000)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks from Stage 1 deadline
• Grant Range: Up to £15,000
• Geographic Focus: UK and international
• Funding Cycle: Annual (typically opens June, closes early July)

Contact Details

Address: 2 Simpson Loan, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 9GL, United Kingdom

Registered Charity: SC016905 (Scotland)

Email: advisor@dementiatrust.org (for application guidance) | admin@dementiatrust.org (general enquiries)

Website: dementiatrust.org

Pre-Application Support: Free webinars offered during application periods; applicants encouraged to contact advisor before applying

Overview

Founded in 1988, the Dementia Services Development Trust (known as “The Dementia Trust”) is a Scottish grant-making charity that has been driving innovation in dementia care for nearly 40 years. Originally established by volunteers concerned about the lack of education and training for dementia care staff, the Trust played a foundational role in creating the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling. Over time, the organization has evolved from focusing primarily on professional training to supporting broader community initiatives and direct assistance for families and individuals living with dementia. The Trust has distributed nearly £200,000 to more than 18 innovative projects that disrupt traditional thinking about dementia. Through its flagship Disruption Awards program, the Trust champions co-created solutions that challenge stigma and create practical change alongside people with dementia and their carers. The organization operates with a lean governance structure led by experienced trustees with backgrounds in healthcare, research, finance, and lived experience of dementia.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Disruption Awards: Up to £15,000 per project

• Typically 2-3 awards made annually
• Application opens in June, Stage 1 closes early July
• Two-stage process: online form followed by conversational interview for shortlisted applicants
• Grants not available on a rolling basis; fixed annual deadline

Priority Areas

The Trust seeks projects that will disrupt conventional ideas about people affected by dementia, including:

• Fresh approaches to everyday dementia challenges
• Projects co-created with people living with dementia and their carers
• Initiatives reaching underserved communities
• Work that shares learning openly for wider sector benefit
• Culturally appropriate resources for diverse communities
• Creative and artistic projects that challenge stigma
• Innovations in care home settings and community support
• Auditory and sensory approaches to dementia care
• Transportation and accessibility solutions
• Digital and technological innovations

Examples of funded projects:

• “Reframing Dementia” - audiovisual project combining photography and music
• “Stories of Travelling with Dementia” - graphic novels about public transport access
• Culturally appropriate resources for African and African Caribbean communities
• “Voices of My Past” - research on auditory hallucinations in dementia
• Digital dementia games (Queen's University Belfast)

What They Don't Fund

• Research projects (though evaluation of impact is required)
• Projects not involving people with dementia in their design or delivery
• Multiple applications from the same organization in a single year
• Projects lacking clear practical change or community impact
• Work that duplicates existing services without innovation

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Dylan Harper — Chair of the Board

Management consultant with experience across public, private, and third sectors, specializing in organizational success and corporate governance.

Professor Edward Duncan — Vice Chair & Convenor of Grant Making Committee

Professor of Applied Health Research at University of Stirling with clinical background in occupational therapy and 25+ years in applied health research.

Ross Clarke CA — Treasurer (Trustee since 2017)

Chartered Accountant qualified at KPMG, works in debt capital markets advisory.

Dr. Peter Murdoch — Trustee since 1988, Former Convener (1997-2003)

Retired Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine, former Chair of Scottish Branch of British Geriatrics Society, awarded honorary degree by University of Stirling.

Rev. Nigel Robb

Church of Scotland minister who completed Design for Dementia course and published guidance on dementia-friendly churches.

Dr. Katherine Paramore

NHS Consultant in Older Adult Mental Health, bringing current healthcare policy expertise.

Mackenzie Pearce

Sales leader at Cisco Systems with personal motivation from family experience and background in healthcare service design.

Professor Louise Serpell

Molecular biochemist and dementia researcher at University of Sussex, advocate for science communication.

Staff Team

Sonia Mangan — Trust Advisor (former CEO Carers Support West Sussex; Master's in Dementia Studies)

Eilidh Murrin — Development Manager

Caroline Gould — Marketing & Communications Manager

Carrina McKinney — Creative Officer

Reena Labahata — Admin Officer

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

Stage 1 (Deadline: Early July, typically July 9)

• Complete short online form available on dementiatrust.org
• Download Word document (.docx) application form
• Describe who you are, what change you seek, and why it matters
• Stay close to word count guidelines (up to 10% over acceptable)
• One application per lead organization per year

Stage 2 (By invitation only)

• Shortlisted applicants invited for friendly conversation with a Trustee and Dementia Trust Advisor
• Discussion explores ambition, feasibility, and fit
• No additional paperwork required
• Focuses on practical delivery and co-creation approach

Pre-Application Support:

• Free webinars offered during application period
• Contact advisor@dementiatrust.org with questions
• Encouraged to discuss ideas before applying

Decision Timeline

• Stage 1 submissions: Early July
• Shortlist notifications: Approximately 2 weeks after deadline (mid-July)
• Stage 2 interviews: Late July/Early August
• Final decisions: August
• Project launch: Typically within 6 weeks of award (September/October)

Total timeline: 6-8 weeks from Stage 1 deadline to final decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However:

• Typically 2-3 awards made annually
• Previous rounds funded 5 projects (2019), and 3 projects with Dementia Research UK support (described as “higher than expected”)
• Two-stage process indicates selective shortlisting from Stage 1 to Stage 2
• Previous awardees can reapply, suggesting competitive but accessible process

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants can reapply, but should contact advisor@dementiatrust.org first to discuss:

• What has changed from previous application
• How thinking, project, or idea has evolved
• Feedback from previous submission

Previous awardees are explicitly welcomed to apply again with new projects.

Restriction: Only one application per organization per funding year.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

Co-creation is essential: The Trust places highest value on projects led by or co-designed with people living with dementia. Applications should clearly demonstrate meaningful involvement of people with lived experience throughout project design and delivery.

Disruption over incremental improvement: Successful projects challenge conventional thinking about dementia rather than simply improving existing services. Think about how your project will change perceptions, break down stigma, or offer genuinely fresh approaches.

Practical change with shareability: The Trust wants to see tangible outcomes that can benefit others. Projects should include plans for sharing learning openly (Creative Commons licensing encouraged) so the wider dementia sector can benefit.

Evaluation without research burden: While not funding research, the Trust requires demonstration of impact. Applicants should show how they'll evaluate outcomes without extensive academic data requirements—focus on showing tangible difference made.

Reaching underserved communities: Projects addressing gaps in provision or reaching marginalized groups are particularly valued. Recent awards include culturally appropriate resources for African and African Caribbean communities.

Feasibility and realistic planning: Stage 2 conversations explore practical delivery. Be prepared to discuss how you'll achieve change within timeline and budget, including any challenges and mitigation strategies.

Direct Guidance from the Trust

From application materials and trustee statements:

• “We especially welcome applications led by, or co-designed with, people who have dementia”
• "We're looking for anything that will disrupt the ideas that people have about people affected by dementia, including their carers and people who work with them"
• Award-holders “keep full intellectual property rights to everything they create with the grant—we simply ask for a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to share and showcase your work”
• "We don't fund research, but will ask you to evaluate the impact your project has"

Support for Successful Awardees

Winners receive more than just funding:

• Named Dementia Trust Advisor for troubleshooting and networking
• Peer-learning huddles with fellow awardees
• Communications support via Trust channels
• Light-touch guidance on evaluation
• Networking opportunities and sector connections

Common Characteristics of Funded Projects

Reviewing past awards reveals successful projects typically:

• Use creative or artistic approaches (photography, graphic novels, music)
• Address practical everyday challenges (transport, care home life, legal planning)
• Focus on specific underserved populations
• Have clear, deliverable outputs (resources, tools, guidelines)
• Demonstrate genuine partnership with people with dementia
• Show potential for wider application or replication

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Co-creation is non-negotiable: Don't just consult with people with dementia—involve them as partners throughout. Clearly articulate how lived experience shapes every stage of your project, not just as beneficiaries but as designers and leaders.

1. Think disruption, not evolution: The Trust wants game-changers, not tweaks. Ask yourself: “Does this fundamentally challenge how people think about dementia?” If your answer focuses on improving existing approaches rather than reimagining them, reconsider your framing.

1. Build the relationship early: Contact advisor@dementiatrust.org before applying. Attend the pre-application webinars. The Trust values conversation and wants to support applicants in developing strong proposals—use this resource.

1. Plan for open sharing: Successful projects benefit the wider sector. Build in plans for Creative Commons licensing, accessible documentation, and knowledge transfer. Show you're committed to collective impact, not just local success.

1. Keep it practical and achievable: With only up to £15,000 and typically 6-12 months for delivery, ambition must be matched with realism. Trustees assess feasibility closely in Stage 2—demonstrate you understand the constraints and have realistic plans.

1. Demonstrate sector understanding: Show awareness of existing dementia work and clearly articulate your project's distinctive contribution. The Trust has nearly 40 years of experience—respect that expertise while showing fresh thinking.

1. Previous rejection isn't permanent: If previously unsuccessful, don't be discouraged—the Trust explicitly welcomes reapplications if your thinking has evolved. But do contact them first to understand feedback and refine your approach.

References

Primary Sources:

• The Dementia Trust official website: https://dementiatrust.org/
• “What are Disruption Awards?” https://dementiatrust.org/disruption-awards/what-are-the-disruption-awards
• “The History of the Dementia Trust” https://dementiatrust.org/about/history
• “Trustees at the Dementia Trust” https://dementiatrust.org/about/trustees

Secondary Sources:

• Dementia Services Development Trust Disruption Awards 2020 information via DEEP (Dementia Voices): https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/dementia-services-development-trust-disruption-awards-2020-funding-applications/
• Scottish Charity Register (OSCR): SC016905
• Companies House information for Dementia Services Development Trust: SC425996

Application Guidance:

• Disruption Awards 2024 and 2025 application pages on dementiatrust.org
• FAQ sections and application materials downloaded from Trust website

Funded Projects Examples:

• Information about successful projects referenced from The Dementia Trust project pages and DEEP announcements (2019-2024)