Dementia and Palliative Care for Non-Clinical Staff & Volunteers in Support Organisations

  • 1 September, 2026 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • In-person
  • Patient care
  • £35
Book onto course

This course is specifically designed for those volunteering or working with a community support group or anyone in a non-clinical role within a health or care setting who support people living with dementia. We will get together and learn about Dementia and through discussion explore how best we can support people with Dementia and their families.

Course delivery

This session will be delivered by Esther Mackillican and Megan McGee.

Esther has worked as a specialist in dementia care for 15 years, starting in care homes in London and Somerset before training as a nurse 8 years ago. She is hugely passionate about ensuring all people living with dementia and their carers have access to timely, appropriate and personalised care, including advance care planning and that their decisions about End of Life care are heard and acted on. As an Admiral Nurse for Dorothy House her role is supported by the team at Dementia UK which enables all of us and those we support to access their resources available to people affected by dementia.

Megan is an Education and Professional Development Lead at Dorothy House, working alongside her clinical role on the Specialist Inpatient Unit. With over a decade of experience in clinical practice, research, and education, she brings a broad and values‑driven perspective to palliative and end‑of‑life care.

Her work is centred on destigmatizing death and creating compassionate, emotionally safe spaces where professionals and the public can explore death, dying, grief, and person‑centred care. Shaped by her diverse cultural background, she champions equity, dignity, and respect for each person’s unique experience.

Known for her warm communication and reflective practice, Megan collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams, bringing authenticity, curiosity, and a strong commitment to human connection to all aspects of her clinical and educational work.

Who should attend?

Support workers or volunteers in the community and those in non-clinical roles working for charities or organisations who support people living with dementia.

Course content

It will consist of a half day teaching and half day workshop led by a range of different professionals involved in dementia care. It will help you gain knowledge and skills to enable you to continue supporting those living with dementias and their families right through to end of life.

The session will include topics such as:

  • Understanding dementia
  • Supporting distressed behaviours
  • Advanced care planning
  • End of life care for those living in community settings and their own homes