Chichester Physiotherapy Students Join Pioneering Dementia Scheme

Physiotherapy students at the University of Chichester will join an award-winning dementia scheme to help upskill the future workforce as dementia cases rise.

The project has seen 50 nursing students from the university paired with families experiencing and living with a dementia.

The idea is to provide trainees with real-life experience in dealing with the unique challenges faced by people with a dementia and their loved ones.

The Physiotherapy Department is now joining the programme, with students spending time with families in their own homes over a two-year period.

Becky Fillery, Lecturer in Physiotherapy, said:

“The physiotherapy students will spend time with families or carers and the person with a dementia in their own home over a two-year period, asking questions, having discussions and finding out more about the lived experience.

“The students will not be providing any physiotherapy treatment, it is purely a chance for students to broaden their knowledge, understanding and empathy of those with a dementia.

"Through this programme, the students will understand the disease better, develop their communication skills and build empathy so that once qualified and treating a patient with a dementia, they will be more equipped to understand the individual and provide a higher quality of care.”

First-year BSc Physiotherapy student Emma Weltch, said:

“For me, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet families and understand their lives, hopes and goals, which will help me be a better healthcare professional.

"I hope this will strengthen future relationships by helping families to be confident in articulating their needs and to know that they are well supported in the future of healthcare.

"Lastly, I hope that families find it beneficial by getting to know us in a relaxed environment.”

The programme is funded by Brighton and Sussex Medical School, with support from the Alzheimer’s Society, and has partnered with the University of Chichester which has 50 nursing students and now 43 physiotherapy students taking part.

Ro Charles, Project Manager for Time For Dementia at the Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“We are thrilled that the physiotherapy students from University of Chichester are joining the Time for Dementia programme this year.

"To give students get the opportunity to learn directly from those with lived experience of dementia means that they will be better equipped to provide person centred and compassionate health care to people with dementia in the future.”