Prestigious two-day dementia event coming to Doncaster

A prestigious two-day dementia event is coming to Doncaster.

Next week, leading figures from dementia care will gather at Doncaster Racecourse for the largest annual multi-disciplinary dementia-focused event and exhibition in the UK.

Organised by Dementia Community, the landmark 20th UK Dementia Congress – with headline sponsor Sensio - will take place on Tuesday 17 to Wednesday 18 November.

The event will be opened by Phil Holmes, Executive Director of Adults, Wellbeing and Culture for the City of Doncaster Council and President of ADASS, and bring together experts with lived experience, professionals and practitioners across health, social care, housing, the arts and culture.

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This is the third time Doncaster has hosted UK Dementia Congress, and with the announcement of Doncaster’s new 2026-2031 Dementia Strategy* the timing couldn’t be more perfect for Doncaster to host this vibrant event with what is expected to be a very diverse and engaged audience.

Topics on the programme include: Technology and innovation in dementia care - Diagnosis and post-diagnostic support - Advanced dementia - Acute hospital care - Care home practice and culture - Young onset dementia - Staff development and workforce wellbeing - Supporting carers and families - Community support and inclusion - Responding to stress and distress - Lived experience and co-production - Working with minority ethnic communities and intersectionality in dementia care.

UK Dementia Congress will also have:

• A dementia showcase featuring organisations from Doncaster and the surrounding area.
• Powerful contributions from people with lived experience of dementia and a specially commissioned film exploring one vital question: "What needs to change in dementia care?".
• A panel debate asking whether social care is fit for the future of dementia care, bringing together senior leaders and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
• A special networking dinner and dementia disco celebrating the 20th anniversary of UKDC on 17th November 2026.
• Interactive workshops, films and discussion sessions.
• Electronic poster presentations and mini-presentations highlighting emerging research and practice.
• Opportunities to network with colleagues from across the dementia community.

Phil Holmes, Executive Director of Adults, Wellbeing and Culture for the City of Doncaster Council and President of ADASS, said: "It's fantastic for Doncaster to be hosting this year's UK Dementia Congress.

“I am so pleased to be attending as both the Director of Adult Social Care in Doncaster and the President of ADASS.

“Baroness Casey and the Prime Minister have made improving dementia care central to reforming adult social care and there will never be a better time for us to connect, build on what's strong and abandon what's wrong.”

Find out more about the 20th UK Dementia Congress at: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/congress