The Know-How

Dementia can sometimes make people believe they are living in another time of their life. Our dementia specialist Sue Hinds shares a simple technique called VERA that helps carers respond with kindness, comfort and calm when reality feels confusing.

Our Lunch and Learn sessions give staff the chance to pause, share stories and pick up simple, practical advice about ageing, dementia and caring. Lucy leads each session with lived experience and real voices from our community, which makes them honest, human and full of insight. Recent sessions at Aspen, Wedlake Bell and Buzzacott showed how powerful these conversations can be. Could your workplace be next?

We bring people together in ordinary places like pubs and cafés to share food, conversation and activities that make life feel lighter. Carers find support, friendships grow, and everyone is welcomed as they are. Behind the scenes, our volunteers and hosts pay attention to the little details that make each gathering inclusive and joyful. As musician and host Paul Dixon says, “I am just astonished by the whole thing. It is just incredible, all through the power of people.”

Concierge is often the first step into Good Company. It begins with a conversation, not a checklist, and grows into a relationship built on trust. We stay alongside people as life changes, offering steady one-to-one support that helps them feel more in control, more connected and less alone.

Wendy and Alison are now halfway through their incredible six-week journey along the Camino del Norte, with over 400 kilometres behind them. Week three brought dramatic sea views, changing skies and plenty of hot chocolate as they made their way from Santander to Ribadesella. Every step is helping raise vital funds for Good Company.

This blog was written by a member of Good Company’s LEAP panel . She is sharing her personal experience of a health scare and the simple...

We welcomed two local councillors to Wednesday Supper Club in August. There was singing, fish and chips, a 98th birthday and one member’s first ever karaoke at 86. The atmosphere was unforgettable, and their visit led to a £5,000 grant to support our clubs in Crowborough. Real connection makes things happen.

We kicked off our new Film Club with The Thursday Murder Club at The Picture House in Uckfield. Nearly forty members came along. For many, it was the first cinema trip in years. There was laughter, shared stories and a real sense of occasion. Richard Osman even shared our photo.

We were delighted to return to Rotherfield Cricket Club for a special Good Company cricket day filled with sunshine, laughter and community spirit. With proper “Queen teas,” a lively raffle, and friendships old and new, it was a joyful reminder of what connection really looks like. Thanks to everyone who came, donated, or helped make the day what it was. Together we raised over £1,000 to support our clubs and circles.

We’ve worked with Autumna, a free national advice service, to share practical guidance on when a care home might be the right step. From recognising signs to exploring support options, this guest blog is designed to help you feel more informed and confident in your decisions.

Hearing loss is linked to dementia, isolation and poor health. Find out how to protect your hearing, support someone else and access free local services in and around Crowborough.

At Good Company, food is more than just a meal. It is the ritual that brings people together. From fish and chips at Supper Club to cake at Games Club, bacon rolls at the rugby club or a glass of wine on a Saturday, food helps everyone relax, talk and feel at home. Shared meals are the glue that holds our clubs together, served with music, movement and laughter.