RCHT colleagues named finalists in National Dementia Care Awards
Colleagues at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) are celebrating national recognition after being named finalists in two categories at the prestigious Dementia Care Awards 2025.
Now in its second year, the Dementia Care Awards shine a spotlight on exceptional contributions across the dementia care landscape. From frontline carers and specialist nurses to community outreach initiatives, the awards honour individuals and services that go above and beyond to improve the lives of people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers.
RCHT was shortlisted in both the Admiral Nurse Award and the Dementia Outreach Award categories—an achievement that reflects both the dedication and innovation of the teams involved—and went on to win the Dementia Outreach Award.
Integrated support across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Caroline Ellis, service manager for the Integrated Admiral Nurse Service in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, expressed her pride in the award and nominations.
“It’s a really exciting time for us,” said Caroline. “We’re finalists in two categories—one for our Admiral Nurse service and another for our ‘Care and Share’ dementia outreach events. It’s lovely to see the impact of our work being recognised.”
The Admiral Nurse team in Cornwall operates uniquely within the UK. As Caroline explains, “We’re the only integrated Admiral Nurse service in the country that supports families across so many care settings. Our nurses support family carers of people living with dementia. Not only in acute hospital settings but also in community hospitals, people’s homes, and even as they transition into care homes. This continuity of care is so important.”
Covering the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the small team includes three Admiral Nurses, Sarah Arundell , Hayley Townsend and Jo Danielsen, and one assistant practitioner, Demelza Udy. Together, they provide emotional, psychological, and practical support to carers navigating the often complex journey of dementia care.
‘Care and Share’
Also recognised is the team’s ‘Care and Share’ initiative, which went on to win the Dementia Outreach Award. These twice-yearly events bring together organisations and services from across Cornwall that support people living with dementia.
“The idea came from noticing that while many services existed, we didn’t always fully understand each other’s roles,” Caroline explained. “So, we created an event where we could all come together—share knowledge, build relationships, and ultimately improve support for families.”
Each ‘Care and Share’ event features guest speakers, networking opportunities, and an open mic session where attendees can highlight new services they’ve learned about. At the most recent event, 20 organisations and over 80 participants came together to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their shared commitment to dementia care.
The impact has been significant. “The feedback has been incredible,” said Caroline. “It’s improved collaboration and made a real difference in how we refer families to the right support at the right time.”
For Caroline, these awards are about more than recognition—they’re a chance to shine a light on the experiences of family carers.
“We want carers to know it’s okay to say they need help,” she said. “There are so many fantastic support services in Cornwall, but carers can often feel isolated—especially in rural areas. If being a finalist helps raise awareness and encourages more people to reach out, then that’s a huge win.”
Caroline is no stranger to the Dementia Care Awards. Last year, she won both the Dementia Nurse and Dementia Outreach Awards. But this year’s recognition has been no less appreciated by the team.
“It’s amazing. I still can’t quite believe it,” she said. “We’re just a small team trying to make a difference, and to be recognised again is such an honour.”
The complete list of winners of this year’s Dementia Care Awards were announced at a gala event at the London Hilton on Thursday 19 June.