Community Story: Young At Heart ULO CIC

Today we are in the north-east of England, in Stockton on Tees to meet a brand new member of Localgiving, Young at Heart ULO C.I.C., a grass-roots dementia care organisation founded to meet the unmet needs of older adults living with dementia and their carers. Our Head of Communications, Luke Upton spoke to Alison Watson-Shields from Young At Heart to find out more about their fantastic work.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for the time today, could you give us an introduction into what  brought about the start of Young At Heart?

Alison Watson-Shields (AW-S) : No problem Luke, Young At Heart ULO CIC was first established as a friendship group in 2010, evolving into a constituted user-led group and later, in 2021, becoming a Community Interest Company. At that time, the dementia-support landscape felt bleak, with traditional services struggling to offer the flexible, compassionate, and inclusive support people needed. The inspiration for Young At Heart came from a group of carers and individuals who had participated in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) with the local Memory Clinic. After just seven weeks, carers formed bonds rooted in shared experiences, while the individuals living with dementia had also forged friendships and valued time together away from the watchful eyes of their carers. The group chose the name Young At Heart, and it has remained at the heart of our work ever since. This early experience demonstrated the profound difference that compassionate, person-centered support can make in combating isolation and improving quality of life.

LU: Thanks, you are a ULO, a User-Led Organisation. Could you give an outline of what that means?

AW-S: A User-Led Organisation (ULO) is one where people with lived experience of the issues the organization addresses direct its management and activities. At Young At Heart, this means that people living with dementia, their carers, and older adults in our community shape every aspect of our work—from the activities we run to our long-term goals. Our directors have personal experience caring for someone with dementia, ensuring the decisions we make are empathetic and grounded in real needs. Like a Community Interest Company (CIC), we actively consult our members to ensure our services remain relevant, adaptable, and impactful.

LU: Tell us something about the community you serve and why your support is needed.

AW-S: We serve adults living with dementia and their carers in Stockton-on-Tees and surrounding areas. This diverse community faces significant barriers to accessing support, such as financial constraints, social isolation, and limited awareness of available services. Dementia often creates a profound sense of isolation—not only for the person diagnosed but also for their family and carers.

Our services provide safe, inclusive spaces where people can share their experiences, access practical and emotional support, and form meaningful connections. Because everyone involved has lived experience, our groups offer a unique level of empathy and understanding. This differs from traditional, professional-led support, which can sometimes feel restrictive or impersonal. Instead, we provide real-world, holistic guidance tailored to individual needs.

LU:  What does a typical month for your CIC look like?

AW-S: A typical month for us is both busy and varied. We run weekly dementia activity groups with creative and therapeutic activities, such as music, crafts, and chair-based exercise classes. We also facilitate peer support groups for carers, offering a space to share experiences, gain advice, and recharge. Our Musical Memories Singing Circle brings joy to everyone involved, with personal playlists that spark memories and positive emotional connections. Participants even receive an MP3 player loaded with their favourite songs to keep and share with loved ones.

In addition to these regular activities, we deliver dementia training for the community and health and social care staff, promoting greater understanding and empathy. Behind the scenes, we’re busy with session planning, writing funding applications, managing volunteers, creating promotional materials, and collaborating with other organisations to expand our reach.

LU:  You’ve recently joined Localgiving. What are you fundraising for?

AW-S: We recently raised funds for a portable loop system to reduce isolation for members with hearing loss. Now, we’re fundraising to sustain and expand our weekly activity groups, Musical Memories Singing Circle, and other initiatives. Rising costs for venue hire, materials, and staff time make fundraising crucial to keep these services affordable and accessible. We also aim to develop intergenerational activities, expand our dementia training to cover specific dementia types, and extend outreach efforts to reach those who may not yet know about us.

LU:  More money aside, what would help you most?

AW-S: Partnerships and collaboration would make the biggest difference. Businesses could offer sponsorship, individuals could volunteer their time and skills, and community groups could work with us to amplify our impact. Raising awareness is also vital—by spreading the word about our work, we can reach more people and tackle loneliness and isolation on a larger scale.

LU:  It’s fantastic work, and your feeling good about the future?

AW-S: Yes, our members often tell us how transformative our services are. One carer shared, ‘Coming to the group every week gives me the strength to carry on. It’s a lifeline—not just for my mum, but for me too.’ Another member said, ‘I feel like myself again when I’m here. It’s the only time I laugh and feel at ease.’

One of our longest-standing members reflected, ‘Without access to the carer support group, I could have been lost a long time ago.’

Looking to the future, we’re committed to continuing this work, adapting and growing to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. Together, we can ensure no one feels alone in their dementia journey.

 ---> Support Young at Heart by clicking here.

 If you want to start fundraising with Localgiving as Young at Heart have, then find out how here.