Dementia Training — What's Available
All training is delivered by Alison Watson-Shields, a Positive Approach to Care® Certified Independent Trainer with over 20 years of experience. Sessions are available for individuals, family carers, and organisations — in person or online, across the UK.
Free training available — funded by the National Lottery
The 6-week Getting to Know Dementia programme is currently fully funded for eligible participants. Places are limited. Get in touch to find out if you qualify.
Our Training Programmes
Whether you’re a family carer, a care professional, or an organisation looking to upskill your team — there’s a programme designed for you. Click on any programme below to find out more.
Getting to Know Dementia
A 6-week programme covering the foundations of dementia — what it is, how it affects the brain, and how to support someone living with it.
Currently free — National Lottery funded
Understanding Challenging Behaviour
A programme exploring why behaviour that feels challenging usually has a reason — and how understanding that reason changes our response.
Available in person and online
Dementia Orientation
A 1-hour introduction to dementia and brain change — ideal for teams or individuals who want an accessible, engaging overview of what dementia is and how it affects people
Available as a standalone session or as part of a wider training programme
Workshop A: Normal vs Not Normal Ageing
Understanding the difference between typical ageing and the changes associated with dementia is one of the most valuable things anyone supporting an older person can know. This 2-hour workshop helps you recognise what’s expected as we age — and what might be a sign that something more is happening.
Available as a standalone session or combined with other workshops.
Workshop B: Using a Positive Physical Approach
Physical interaction is one of the most important — and least discussed — aspects of dementia care. This 2-hour practical workshop introduces Teepa Snow’s Positive Physical Approach™, giving you hands-on skills for supporting someone with dementia safely, respectfully, and effectively.
Available as a standalone session or combined with other workshops.
Workshop C: Seeing GEMS® As More than Just Loss
The GEMS® States Model, developed by Teepa Snow, offers a compassionate and practical way of understanding where someone is in their dementia journey — and how to connect with them meaningfully at every stage. This 2-hour workshop introduces the model and explores what it means in practice.
Available as a standalone session or combined with other workshops.