East Kent Police Specials Become Dementia Friends in Ramsgate

Team from Chartwell House Care Home in Broadstairs travelled to Ramsgate Fire Station last month to deliver a Dementia Friends session to 25 East Kent Police Specials, helping volunteer officers better understand and support people living with dementia in their communities.

The session was led by Jaye Dry, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House, and Dementia Friends Ambassador, Jude Coveney. The connection came about naturally: Special Inspector James Johnston of the Thanet Police Specials and Thanet Police Cadet Unit called in to one of Chartwell House’s community events, and a conversation about dementia awareness sparked the idea.

The training was delivered under the national Dementia Friends programme, run by the Alzheimer’s Society. The initiative is designed to increase people’s understanding of dementia and inspire them to make a difference for those affected by the condition in their communities. Sessions run for approximately an hour and are interactive and engaging, giving participants practical knowledge about how dementia affects daily life and how to respond with greater confidence and compassion.

The stakes for police officers are particularly clear when you consider the Herbert Protocol, a national scheme that helps emergency services find people with dementia who have gone missing. Families and carers complete a form in advance with key details about the person, including their physical description, medication, daily routine, and places of personal significance. When someone goes missing, that form is handed straight to the police so a search can begin immediately. It is estimated that 70% of people living with dementia will go missing at least once, and the longer they remain missing, the greater the risk of harm.

But a form alone can only do so much. When officers locate someone living with dementia, knowing how to approach and communicate with that person calmly and confidently is what makes the difference. That’s exactly the kind of understanding the Dementia Friends session was designed to build.

Jude Coveney, who delivered the session alongside Jaye, said the response from the room stood out. “What struck us both was how genuinely engaged the officers were. These are people who may meet someone living with dementia on the street, at a bus stop, or in the middle of a crisis, and they wanted to get it right. That enthusiasm makes a real difference to what they take away.”

Jaye Dry, Admissions Manager at Chartwell House, added: “By increasing understanding and awareness, we can help ensure that people living with dementia are treated with greater empathy, patience and confidence. We hope the knowledge they gained will have a positive impact on their interactions with vulnerable members of the public.”

The session is part of Chartwell House’s wider commitment to dementia awareness beyond its own walls, building connections with local emergency services and community partners across East Kent.