Staff, students and families from the University of Chichester held a symposium last week to celebrate the achievements of nursing and physiotherapy students taking part in the Time for Dementia programme, and to mark the conclusion of the initiative at the University.
Time for Dementia is an educational programme that pairs students from the University’s School of Nursing and Allied Health with families living with dementia. Over two years, students visit volunteer families on multiple occasions, gaining a unique insight into the realities of living with dementia beyond traditional clinical settings. The programme aims to build a deeper understanding of the disease in a family context, helping future healthcare professionals provide more compassionate, person-centred care.
Staff and students at the event reflected on their learning, while volunteer families also attended, joining a creative session using arts and crafts to share their experiences over the past two years.
Matt Ng, Senior Lecturer in Nursing and Nursing Lead for Time for Dementia, said: “I have had the privilege to be the nursing lead for the Time for Dementia programme since joining the University in February last year. The programme has had a demonstrable impact on students’ journeys, forming a vital understanding of people living with dementia that is not often afforded in typical clinical placement settings.
“With my own clinical background in Older Persons Medicine, it has been touching to observe student growth from this perspective and to witness reflection and learning that can sometimes otherwise take years to develop.”
Students also reflected on how the experience had transformed their understanding of dementia and its wider impact on families.
Nursing student Gemma Debono said: “Although a lot of us had some idea of what dementia is, we really learned a lot more about the impacts on the family and the holistic view of the situation. When I meet someone in practice with dementia, or their family member has it, I now have a much broader understanding.”
While the Time for Dementia programme has now ended due to external funding being ceased, its legacy will continue through the students whose perspectives have been shaped by the experience. The School of Nursing and Allied Health are now seeking funding streams to support similar activity in this area in the future.
Nursing degrees at the University of Chichester, which were rated No1 in the UK for teaching in the National Student Survey 2025, are still open for September 2026 entry. For more information visit www.chi.ac.uk/nursing.