Jade Lavan - Admiral Nurse

Why did you decide to become a Community Champion?

If you love someone living with dementia, you are living with it to!

I chose a to be a community champion because dementia matters to me!

There is a growing number of people living with dementia, over 900,000 people in the UK and approx. 7400 living in the South Tees area.

Being a community champion will enable me to support the South Tees and wider community, to work with a variety health, social care and charitable organisations to promote and create supportive dementia friendly communities and services

How does your role support people across South Tees?

I am an Admiral Nurse (Registered Mental Health Nurse) employed by Dementia UK and based across Middlesbrough, Redcar, and Cleveland.

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses, we provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia – including Alzheimer’s disease.

Admiral Nurses are here when people need help, we have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems.

As dementia specialists, Admiral Nurses help families manage complex needs, considering the person living with dementia and the people around them. When people are struggling, Admiral Nurses help them take back control. When friends and family are worried about a loved one, we give them the confidence to manage their future with dementia.

Admiral Nurses help people living with dementia stay independent for longer, and support the people caring for them so that they will have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.