Real stories

'It’s been a real lifeline' – Del and Margaret’s experience getting involved with Alzheimer's Society

Del and Margaret’s journey with Alzheimer’s Society began with a simple phone call, but that call changed everything for them both.

Del, a former bus driver, noticed his partner Margaret was struggling with everyday tasks like locking the door or turning things on. They felt isolated and alone in their experiences, and they were spending most days watching television.  

'I found we were both just watching a lot of TV and were bored,' Del explains. 'So I looked up Alzheimer’s Society. I saw an advert for a local meeting. I phoned up and we were welcomed to come along. It helped us break the monotony.'

Feeling a sense of purpose through involvement

Their first steps into involvement at Alzheimer's Society were through taking part in an online quiz through their local group. That led to an invitation to help with a local GP surgery project, and soon they had signed up to be involved in Time for Dementia, working with bus companies to help them become more accessible for people affected by dementia, and attending meetings about how businesses in their local area could support people with dementia.

Sharing their dementia journey

Their involvement didn’t stop at local events. Del and Margaret became the faces of Alzheimer’s Society’s Christmas campaign in 2024.  

'I always wanted to do something like that,' Margaret says. 'It was fabulous!'

Their story was featured in the Radio Times, national newspapers, and even on ITV Anglia. Del says: ’Our picture went in the Radio Times and national papers for the Christmas appeal and was on the flyers. It made us feel really good. It helped Alzheimer’s Society raise over £1.4 million.

’It’s amazing we got picked for all that. We also got a call from ITV Anglia, so we had a TV reporter turn up at our house. We did a bit for ITV News Anglia, and that was picked up by Meridian and London as well. 

I even had calls from cousins saying "you’re on the telly!”

Why Del and Margaret get involved with the Alzheimer’s Society

Involvement has brought them connection, purpose, support and achievement.  

'We’ve really enjoyed it,' Del says. 'It’s helped us so much.'

One early experience they took part in involved speaking to adult social care workers in Basildon.

'There were about 20 social workers asking questions,' Del recalls. 'One of them told us about the NHS' Dementia Crisis Team - which we’d previously never heard of.'

They’ve also contributed to Dementia together magazine, helped shape our dementia guide, and participated in the Time for Dementia programme, offering medical students a real insight into life with dementia.

'It’s really important to hear both our perspectives,' Del says. 

What we’ve done in the past is still useful today. We’ve got so many videos of our work, and those are memories we’ll always have.

Involvement has been a lifeline in challenging times

Margaret has been in hospital twice in 2025, and their ability to get out and about has changed.

'Not being able to go out - it’s been a real lifeline to still be involved from home,' Del says.

They miss the cafés, the laughter, and going to activities together such as walking football.

'Sometimes it makes us sad that we can’t do things like that anymore,' Margaret says. 'But we’ve made lots of friends.'

Del adds: 'When you’re stuck at home, and you don’t see anybody else that day, being able to take part makes a difference.'

Del and Margaret’s message to others

This couple’s journey using their lived experience of dementia shows how one small step can lead to something truly lifechanging.

Del’s message to others is: 'Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Alzheimer’s Society. Go to the GP and start the process of getting a diagnosis. I really wish we’d started earlier. It took a long time to get the diagnosis.'

Del and Margaret’s advice is simple: 'Contact your local group, go along, and let it grow from there. Just turn up and give it a go. Get involved in as many things as you want.'

They hope their story encourages others to get involved too.

'It’s made a real difference to us, and hopefully we’ve helped a few other people along the way,' the couple says. 'If one person gets treated better, then it’s worth doing.'