2002

Edye Hoffmann, founder of Dementia Compass, meets her mother-in-law with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease and becomes a primary care partner. She continues to support for her mother-in-law for seven years.

2002 – 2009

Edye runs various community and care programmes, and volunteers with the local dementia support groups. She completes her PGCert in Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford, building on her community organising background and social anthropology training.

2010+

Dementia Compass is born, drawing on 8 years of experience. It starts with a community choir for individuals with dementia, their care partners and volunteers, then expands to additional choirs.

Responding to participant needs and gaps in services, new evidence-informed programmes are developed including, exercise, care support and advocacy

2011+

Dementia Compass partners with the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to deliver multi-week courses with expert talks and art making. These extend into additional museum courses, an on-going alumni programme to continue social inclusion and learning.

Edye works with the University of Cambridge's public health institute and hospitals with research and training.

2020+

Dementia Compass adapts the museum programmes in response to the pandemic with online meetings and art making.