Dementia Support Groups in the UK: Where to Find Help and Connection

Topic cluster: Dementia & Memory Care | Reading time: 5 min

A dementia diagnosis affects the whole family — not just the person diagnosed. Support groups offer something that no amount of research or professional guidance can fully provide: the experience of people who genuinely understand what you are going through. This guide explains what dementia support groups are available in the UK, how to find local services, and why connecting with others is one of the most important things you can do as a carer.

Why Support Groups Matter

Caring for a parent with dementia is often described as one of the most emotionally and physically demanding experiences a person can face. Isolation, grief, guilt, and exhaustion are common — but they're not inevitable, and they're not something to face alone.

Research consistently shows that family carers who access peer support experience:

Reduced rates of depression and anxiety
Better quality of care for their loved one
Greater resilience and ability to continue caring
More informed decision-making about care options

Support groups provide a space to share experiences, ask questions, learn practical strategies, and feel less alone.

Types of Support Available

Support for People with Dementia

Singing for the Brain — Alzheimer's Society music-based social groups across the UK
Memory cafés — informal social meetings for people with dementia and their carers
Dementia-friendly walking groups — structured outdoor activities
Online peer communities — for those with early-stage dementia who want to connect with others in similar situations

Support for Family Carers

Carer support groups — often run by local charities, hospices, or the NHS
Admiral Nurse clinics — specialist dementia nursing support from Dementia UK
Online forums — accessible from home, often active 24/7
Telephone support lines — immediate support when you need it

Key National Organisations

Organisation	What They Offer	Contact
Alzheimer's Society	Information, local support groups, dementia advisers	alzheimers.org.uk / 0333 150 3456
Dementia UK	Admiral Nurses, phone helpline, family support	dementiauk.org / 0800 888 6678
Age UK	Local information and advice, befriending, day services	ageuk.org.uk / 0800 678 1602
Carers UK	Support and advice for carers, local connections	carersuk.org / 0808 808 7777
Carers Trust	Local carer centres, online resources	carers.org
NHS — Talking Therapies	Psychological support for carers experiencing depression/anxiety	Via GP referral

Finding Local Groups

Alzheimer's Society Group Finder: Visit alzheimers.org.uk/find-support — search by postcode to find local dementia cafés, support groups, and services.

Your local authority: Adult social care departments maintain lists of local dementia support services. Contact them following a Care Needs Assessment.

GP practice: Ask the GP or practice nurse — many practices have local referral pathways for dementia support.

Local hospice: Many hospices run dementia carer support groups as part of their wider community work, regardless of whether the person with dementia is near end of life.

NHS Talking Therapies: Self-refer online for free psychological support (CBT and other approaches) if you're experiencing anxiety or depression as a carer.

Online Support

For carers who cannot easily attend in-person groups — because of shift patterns, geography, or the demands of caring — online communities offer genuine support.

Alzheimer's Society Talking Point forum — forum.alzheimers.org.uk — one of the UK's largest dementia carer communities
Dementia UK online support — webchat and email Admiral Nurse support
Facebook groups — several active UK dementia carer communities with thousands of members

Young Onset Dementia Support

For families dealing with dementia in someone under 65, support is available from:

Young Dementia UK — youngdementiauk.org — specialist support for younger people and their families
Alzheimer's Society Dementia Connect — dedicated advisers for younger onset cases

Checklist — Accessing Support

☐ Contact Alzheimer's Society for a local dementia adviser
☐ Call Dementia UK (0800 888 6678) to speak to an Admiral Nurse
☐ Ask the GP about local dementia support pathways
☐ Search for a local memory café or dementia-friendly activity
☐ Join Alzheimer's Society Talking Point online forum
☐ Request a Carer's Assessment from the local authority
☐ Consider NHS Talking Therapies if experiencing anxiety or depression

Researching care options? homeformum.com helps families find specialist dementia care homes and understand funding — so you can focus on what matters most.