Memory Matters: Strengthening Brain Health Across Birmingham
BSMHFT has launched the Memory Matters Programme in partnership with Age Connects West Midlands and Alzheimer’s Society, and funded by Fairer Futures until March 2028, to transform how dementia is understood, identified, and supported across Birmingham.
At its core, the project is about raising awareness of brain health, improving early engagement, and ensuring every community has access to culturally responsive, high‑quality dementia care.
The project aims to make brain health a shared priority — empowering individuals, families, and professionals to recognise changes earlier, seek support sooner, and feel confident navigating the dementia journey.
Project aims
- Enhance Primary Care Dementia Pathways
Strengthen early engagement and improve quality of life by creating clearer, digitalised care pathways and delivering structured dementia and brain‑health training for primary care teams.
- Implement a Primary Care Dementia Pathway Model
Introduce a new primary care–based assessment and post‑diagnostic support model that improves patient experience, increases diagnostic rates, and reduces waiting times for non‑complex dementias — ensuring people receive timely, accessible support.
- Strengthen Post‑Diagnostic Support
Expand culturally sensitive, community‑rooted support that reflects Birmingham’s diversity. This includes raising awareness of brain health within communities where dementia is often under‑recognised or misunderstood.
- Address Health Inequalities
Build trust and improve experiences for underrepresented groups through targeted engagement, culturally informed communication, and collaboration with VCFSE partners who already play a vital role in community brain‑health awareness.
- Enhance Partnership Working
Support locality‑level dementia care through active participation in multi‑agency and frailty meetings, promoting a more integrated and equitable approach.
Brain Health
Think Brain Health
Love your heart | Stay sharp | Keep connected
Research suggests some dementia risk factors can be influenced through everyday actions. Looking after your heart, keeping your mind active and staying socially connected can support brain health at any age.
Take the free Alzheimer’s Research UK Think Brain Health quiz to learn more
To find out more about Brain Health, please click on the links below to access the Alzheimer’s Research UK webpage and a short video from the University of Edinburgh explaining the importance of staying sharp.
Think Brain Health – Think Brain Health – Alzheimer’s Research UK
Memory Changes and ageing
Memory Matters is a programme focused on improving how dementia is understood, identified, and supported across Birmingham.
We are working with partners including Age Connects West Midlands and Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness of brain health, support earlier engagement, and ensure people can access the right support in their communities.
This form aims to gather your views on what areas you are interested in and how you would like to be involved, so we can shape our engagement approach.
As we get older, it is normal to notice small changes in our memory. These changes are a natural part of ageing.
This leaflet provides information about common causes of memory difficulties, signs that may indicate a memory problem, and practical steps you can take if you are concerned about your own memory or that of someone close to you.
Health inequalities
Information coming soon!
What happens during a memory assessment?
If you are referred, this may include:
Pre-assessment discussion:
An explanation of the assessment, possible outcomes, and your consent.
- Assessment: This may include questions about your history, a memory test, and sometimes a
brain scan. Bring a friend, carer, or family member for support and reassurance. - Feedback appointment:
A follow-up session will be arranged to go through your assessment results. - Support planning: Your healthcare team will talk through ways to support your brain health and outline treatment and support options, including post-diagnostic groups, medication, and carer support. These discussions will help you understand your choices and plan the next steps together.
Early help can make a big difference in accessing the right support.
Useful contact details
Alzheimer’s Society T: 0121 706 4052 W: alzheimers.org.uk
Dementia Connect (Support through Alzheimer’s Society) T: 0333 150 3456 W:alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
Alzheimer’s Research UK W: alzheimersresearchuk.org
Silverline T: 0800 470 8090
Samaritans T: 116 123 W: www.samaritans.org
Birmingham Dementia Carers Hub T: 0121 437 0033 W: birminghamcarershub.org.uk
Dementia UK (Carers support) T: 0800 888 6678 W: dementiauk.org
Primary Care Dementia Pathway
As part of the Memory Matter programme, a new Primary Care Dementia Pathway has been introduced across the North locality. The pathway is designed for people aged 80 and over who have been experiencing memory concerns for more than 12 months.
The pathway brings together GP practices, specialist dementia teams, and community organisations to provide coordinated, person‑centred support. By working in partnership, this approach ensures that people with memory concerns receive the right support, at the right time, within their GP practice. It offers a clear route to assessment, advice and ongoing help, all delivered through a joined‑up network of professionals and community services. By working in partnership, services can reduce waiting times, prevent people being passed between teams and improve overall experience of care.
The Primary Care Dementia Pathway is currently available through the following GP practices:
Sutton Coldfield Practice Group
- Sutton Park Practice
- Ley Hill Surgery
- Four Oaks Practice
- Vesey Practice
- Falcon Lodge Surgery
- Tudor Practice
MMP North Birmingham
- Erdington Medical Centre
- Eaton Wood Medical Centre
- High Street Surgery
- Jockey Road Medical Centre
- Kingsmount Medical Centre
KEN (Kingstanding, Erdington and Nechells)
Events
Open Day
Ward End Fire Station – July 19, 11am – 3pm (sensory time 11am – 11.30am) Washwood Heath Road, Ward End, Birmingham, B8 2HF
Event details:
Dementia Marketplace Event
Bringing together partners and local services to celebrate our shared commitment to supporting people affected by dementia.
Open to everyone, this event is an opportunity to find out more about the support and services available for people living with dementia and their carers across Birmingham and Solihull.
Tuesday 22 September 10:30 – 12:30, Panel Croft Village, 290 Hospital Street, Birmingham, B19 2XU
Brain health awareness session – open to anyone who is interested in finding out more around Brian Health and Memory changes.
Friday 14 August 2026, timings to be confirmed to express interest please contact 0121 706 4052, email Birmingham@MemoryMatters.uk or complete the form under be involved – have your say
Get involved
If you are interested in attending one of our awareness events, or would like us to deliver a talk on Brain Health and Memory Matters at your local faith or community group, please contact us using the details below.
T: 0121 706 4052
E: Birmingham@MemoryMatters.uk or complete the form below
https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
This form aims to gather your views on what areas you are interested in and how you would like to be involved, so we can shape our engagement approach.
Useful links and contacts
- Birmingham City council Dementia www.alzheimers.org.uk/get – support/publications-factsheets
- Support Available Dementia Support Line | Alzheimer’s Society https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
- Carers support Home – Birmingham Carers Hub
Early help can make a big difference in accessing the right support.
Useful contact details
Alzheimer’s Society T: 0121 706 4052 W: alzheimers.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Research UK W: alzheimersresearchuk.org
Dementia Connect (Support through Alzheimer’s Society) T: 0333 150 3456 W:alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
Silverline T: 0800 470 8090
Samaritans T: 116 123 W: www.samaritans.org
Support for carers
Birmingham Dementia Carers Hub T: 0121 437 0033 W: birminghamcarershub.org.uk
Dementia UK (Carers support) T: 0800 888 6678 W: dementiauk.org
Birmingham Carers Hub Home – Birmingham Carers Hub
Age Connects West Midlands Support Line offers a range of services, providing information, advice, and practical support to help individuals maintain independence and wellbeing.
T: 0121 362 3650 or visit www.ageconnectswm.org.uk
Age Connects West Midlands – Supporting older people in Birmingham
Any other information please call 0121 706 4052 or email Birmingham@MemoryMatters.uk
