Lorraine Brown

Lorraine has now retired from being an envoy. We are very grateful for all her work with us.

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Lorraine has had a career in acute mental health and at the time of her diagnosis was working at Medway Maritime Hospital as a Support Time and Recovery Worker. Lorraine lives alone and with the support of friends and family is very independent. She is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and attends local groups and meetings. Lorraine is a health and wellbeing champion! She stays fit and healthy by visiting her local dementia friendly sports and activity group run by Medway Sport. Lorraine has also helped launch a Tai Chi and African drumming group for people with dementia run by Medway Council. Medway Council also runs a number of other healthy living activities for people with dementia. Lorraine also contributes to a number of projects with Sports England.

Lorraine is also the chair of the Medway Dementia Action Alliance steering group. Her presentation at the launch of the group in May 2015 not only inspired people to get involved, but has also led to many other requests for her to speak at other conferences and events.

Lorraine has chaired the steering group meetings and helped many of the ideas and work streams that have been taken forward to help make Medway dementia-friendly. Lorraine has also helped to develop a ‘coming into hospital’ patient information booklet working with Medway Hospital. She continues working with Medway Hospital to ensure that all members of staff are confident dealing with patients with dementia by contributing to the work of the Dementia and Delirium team. Lorraine continues to help Medway Hospital ensure the environment and décor of the wards are also suited for those with dementia including using the PLACE initiative. She also carries out training for healthcare professionals at many of London's hospitals.

Lorraine is incredibly busy but we cannot forget her role within the Medway and Maidstone Memorybilia, dementia service user engagement group. Within this group Lorraine uses her skills as a dementia envoy and member of Memorybilia to teach dementia awareness to undergraduate and MSc social work students at the University of Kent.

Lorraine has not only been a fantastic campaigner for the work of the Medway Dementia Action Alliance, but also speaks regularly at Alzheimer’s Society conferences and events with Memory Services National Accreditation Programme (MSNAP).

Many people say that she helps them to remember why our work is so important.