Dementia Adviser – North
Email: francesclaydon@dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk
I rejoined the Dementia Oxfordshire team in June 2025, having worked for the service previously!
The majority of my working life has been spent supporting older adults in different settings, from starting out as a care assistant in a nursing home when I was a teenager, through to a career as a mental health nurse in older adult mental health community and inpatient settings.
My move to the charity sector, first working with the Alzheimer’s Society and then Dementia Oxfordshire, enabled me to continue doing the type of work that I love whilst supporting my young family. I have most recently been working in a secondary school in the Special Educational Needs department, but the pull back to dementia support finally proved too strong and I am now delighted to be doing a job that I absolutely love once again.
From a young age I have always been drawn towards older people and sought out opportunities to spend time with them. My favourite part of the job is the conversations that we have with people and developing trusting relationships. It’s truly a privilege to be welcomed into someone’s home, especially when they’re feeling worried or overwhelmed. Being able to listen, connect, and offer support means a lot to me. I also find it incredibly rewarding to see how community support groups can positively impact the lives of people living with dementia and their carers—especially through singing. Music has such a special way of bringing people together and sparking memories, and it’s wonderful to witness that connection.
Outside of work, I really love being part of my hockey team, even if my aging body doesn’t always agree with me! I also enjoy growing plants from seeds—there’s something incredibly rewarding about watching a tiny seed transform into a beautiful flower.
