Evidence of Need
Dementia in the UK and the West Midlands:
The Evidence
The national picture
In the UK, around 85,000 people are diagnosed with dementia each year, with 944,000 people living with dementia in 2021.
- Two-thirds of those affected are women
- 25,000 people are from Black and minority ethnic groups
- 40,000 are younger people living with dementia
- The total financial cost is estimated at £26 billion per year
- 670,000 family carers save the UK an additional £11 billion annually.
Regional insights
The West Midlands & Worcestershire
In 2024, approximately 73,400 people in the West Midlands were living with dementia — about 10.7% of all diagnosed cases in England. However, the regional diagnosis rate (61%) remains below the national target of 66.7%. This is illustrated below for parts of the south-west of the West Midlands (part of our target geographical remit).
Challenges in post-diagnostic support
Recent research across Birmingham and Worcestershire highlights gaps in post-diagnostic dementia care:
- Over one-third of carers receive no support after diagnosis.
- Nearly one in three carers feel isolated, with limited access to information or nearby services.
- Local reports call for clearer information, guidance, and re-procurement of post-diagnostic services.
- Many carers report that providing personal care becomes the tipping point for moving loved ones into residential care.
Barriers to accessing support
- Signposting and information remain the biggest barriers for families.
- Referral opportunities are often missed due to low professional awareness.
- Timing issues persist — commissioners believe support is always available post-diagnosis, but families report that information stops soon after diagnosis.
Only 20% of people with dementia and 38% of carers have received help from a dementia advisor, despite their proven value.
The case for change
There is a pressing need to:
- Improve diagnostic and home-based support
- Develop cost-effective local care options
- Simplify funding and respite models across local authorities
- Strengthen carer support and care home quality
Learning from proven models
As part of our local research and partnership planning we have visited and researched a number of local charities and organisations that work with families living with dementia. Some of these places do great things but it is clear that more can be done and needs to be done.
Our greatest inspiration is Sage House in West Sussex — a “One Destination” dementia support model offering integrated services from diagnosis to ongoing care. Since launching seven years ago, Sage House has supported 3,893 people living with dementia and 1,836 active attendees.
An evaluation by the University of Chichester (2024) found the Sage House model to be:
- Effective in improving wellbeing and access to information
- Cost-efficient and easy to integrate into GP referral pathways
- Impactful in reducing stigma and building community awareness
Our aim
Our Vision: The Unique-Minds Centre We aim to establish a stand-alone centre serving the Worcestershire and West Midlands communities — modelled on the Sage House “One Destination” approach. Our goal is to offer:
- A single, welcoming location for dementia support
- Access to advice, activities, and guidance for both individuals and carers
- Collaboration with public agencies and community partners to shape local services
As we develop our centre, we will conduct primary research with local communities and continue to refine our service offer — ensuring families living with dementia receive the support, dignity, and quality of life they deserve.
Sources: University of Chichester – Evaluation of the Sage House Model of Dementia Support, Coventryobserver.co.uk; England.nhs.uk, Birmingham.ac.uk – Healthwatch Worcestershire: Report of Engagement on Information and Support Available to People Living with Dementia and their Carers After Diagnosis, July 2024 – Worcester.ac.uk
Charity number: 1206326
Granta Lodge, 71 Graham Road, Malvern WR14 2JS