Real stories

Spotlight: Chris Larkin, Associate Director for Services

Why dementia, why the Society? 

My wife’s family in particular have been affected by dementia, with two of her grandparents living with dementia and eventually needing to move into care.

I used to be a physio and my wife an occupational therapist, so we consider ourselves pretty in the know about how health and social care works. Yet we still found it incredibly challenging to navigate the different services and support for them. 

I am really passionate about the difference that voluntary sector services make for people. I spent 12 years at the Stroke Association, and when I saw the opportunity to join Alzheimer’s Society it really grabbed me.

How to fill an unexpected day off? 

My day would start with a long early morning walk with our dog Fudge and a podcast. I’d grab a really good coffee on my way home (I’m a bit of a coffee snob) and then head to the coast with my wife Clare and our children. 

After some time on the beach and a bit of crabbing (I was the British Open Crabbing Champion in 1994!) we would have fish and chips overlooking the sea.

On the way home I’d be listening to Barnsley win at football, which doesn’t happen often, before dropping the children off at a friend’s house so that Clare and I can head off to a gig in Liverpool or Manchester. Sounds like a pretty perfect day. 

Proudest achievement? 

My proudest moments are related to my children, whether that’s Jacob scoring a try at rugby or Isla perfecting one of her dance moves in front of Strictly Come Dancing. 

On a personal level, I am proud of reinventing my career at various times, moving from physiotherapy into the private sector and then the voluntary sector, which I now firmly consider to be home. 

Worst advice you’ve been given? 

Not necessarily advice, but my dad is a pretty cynical Yorkshireman, so would often be jokingly negative about things while we were growing up. I remember he had a particular bugbear about people towing caravans!

I try to be more optimistic about things but have definitely had to battle that inner cynic at times. I’m even quite partial to a caravan holiday, to be honest. 

Biggest priority for coming months? 

Working with our services to respond to changes and challenges in health and social care. These pressures, exacerbated by the turbulent political and economic situation, all have an impact on our teams, who are working tirelessly to support people affected by dementia. 

Most important thing learned from a person with dementia? 

I’ve learnt a lot about the importance of language and how organisations can be very inaccessible to people at times.

It’s easy for us to fall into the trap of using jargon or language that makes no sense to a lot of people, and we are working hard to avoid that. 

Most looking forward to? 

Being part of delivering on our new ‘Help and hope’ strategy, which sets out our priorities for the coming five years.

We are really committed to working with people affected by dementia to co-create how our services support people. 

I’m also looking forward to enjoying time with family and friends and, in a parallel universe, watching Barnsley win the play-offs and return to the Championship, but that may be too far-fetched at the moment!