Dawn Horne
Dawn was a psychiatric nurse for 15 years. She lived in Norfolk and moved to Canterbury ten years ago, and did not initially know anybody in the Canterbury area. Dawn received a double diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia and Vascular dementia, and this was overwhelming, as she did not think this would happen to her. Initially, Dawn did not know how to cope with the diagnosis. Like a lot of people with dementia, she felt this was the end of the world, but for Dawn, it was also the beginning of a different world.
Dawn was asked to join the Forget Me Nots in Canterbury, and she saw all the things they were doing, which initially Dawn thought she could not do these things. Dawn was asked to do a project for Brightshadow called Picture This, and she thought that her Alzheimer’s dementia would prevent her from doing this project. Dawn thought why not? Give it a go, and she loved it! Dawn then realised that here was another life and to say yes to things that would put her outside of her comfort zone, and she never regretted it. Dawn never thought that she would end up being a trustee of Brightshadow, which she now is, as Brightshadow sought experts by experience on its board of trustees.
Elizabeth Field got in touch with Dawn and asked her to join a research project. Dawn thought I left school at 15, I can’t do that, and still said yes. Dawn discovered on this research journey that she has a voice, and her lived experience was crucial to adapting the research to make it accessible for people with dementia. Dawn has been involved in many research projects since then, projects where people with dementia decide upon the research questions and topics. These projects show that people living with dementia have a voice and, with determination, can still live an interesting and purposeful life.
Dawn regularly gives inspiring talks at the Living Well with Dementia groups to communicate to people recently diagnosed with dementia that there are opportunities and positive life experiences to be had after a diagnosis. Dawn has given talks to junior doctors, helping to advise them for their future work in assessing and giving dementia diagnoses.
Dawn has written a book, Dawn’s Dementia Field Guide, and this came about by accident. Talking to Clare Streeter about how she wanted a book for people very recently diagnosed that wasn’t available. The field guide is purposely written to be as though it is being read through Dawn. Dawn met with a publisher, Elsa, who agreed to publish the book. The book is now available nationally. The book is now being given to the people who need it, distributed through support group sessions for people recently diagnosed, and it is helping people to live a new, positive life after what is so often a shock. Dawn has since received the Health Watch recognition award for 2025.
Dawn is a Trustee for the charity Brightshadow click this link here to find out more about Brightshadow.
