Porter Dodson has strengthened its commitment to supporting people living with dementia by welcoming Home Instead's immersive Dementia Bus to its Taunton and Yeovil offices, alongside specialist dementia awareness training for colleagues across the firm.
The initiative, organised by the firm's Court of Protection team, formed part of our ongoing efforts to improve understanding of dementia and ensure the best possible experience for clients living with the condition.
The event followed the firm's recent World Alzheimer's Day campaign, which highlighted the specialist legal support available to individuals and families navigating the challenges associated with dementia.
Colleagues from across the firm were invited to take part in the Dementia Bus experience, delivered in partnership with home care provider Home Instead. We also welcomed visitors and local professionals working in the care community to join in. The immersive session enabled participants to experience firsthand some of the sensory, physical and cognitive challenges often faced by people living with dementia, helping to build empathy and understanding of how the condition can affect daily life.
Hannah Sharland, Marketing & Community Engagement Lead for Home Instead Taunton & West Somerset and Yeovil, Sherborne & Bridport, commented, “Being given the opportunity to bring the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus to Porter Dodson and deliver the dementia workshop the following day was an absolute privilege. Both events exceeded my expectations, and that was, in no small part, down to the warm welcome, encouragement and support I received from you and your team.
From the very beginning, everyone I met was so kind, approachable and professional. It was clear how much your team cares about making a difference in the community, and it was a genuine pleasure to work alongside such lovely people.”
As a firm that regularly supports vulnerable clients, particularly through its Court of Protection team, Porter Dodson recognises the importance of ensuring all colleagues have a greater understanding of the challenges that individuals living with dementia may face.
Following the Dementia Bus experience, colleagues attended a tailored training session delivered by Hannah Sharland of Home Instead, covering topics including the different types of dementia, effective communication techniques, practical adjustments that can make meetings more accessible, and ways to create a more dementia-friendly environment for clients and their families.
The training also encouraged discussion around how professionals can adapt their approach to ensure clients feel comfortable, respected and supported throughout their interactions with legal advisers.
Maxine Allen, Senior Paralegal in the Court of Protection team commented, “I’ve found the events so insightful. Dementia is such a complex disease but there are so many simple ways we can help our clients. It has been really eye opening and I feel much more confident in how I can speak to clients going forward. The training from Home Instead was so engaging and informative. It has been great to find out more about Dementia and also get some practical tips which can be useful for both my professional and personal life because, like most of us, I have family members with diagnoses of Dementia”.
Abigail Davis, Residential Conveyancer commented, "It was deeply insightful to understand the daily challenges faced by someone living with dementia."
Porter Dodson's expanding Court of Protection team, led by Senior Associate Charlotte Cole, supports individuals who may have lost the capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, including many clients living with dementia. Alongside managing financial affairs and acting as professional deputies, the team works closely with families, carers and other professionals to ensure clients receive the support they need.
We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with Home Instead and through initiatives such as this, we continue to invest in training and awareness that helps colleagues deliver care, understanding and exceptional service to some of the firm's most vulnerable clients.
For more information about our Court of Protection services, visit - Court of Protection, Mental Capacity and Care
