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By Charlotte Kensett, Director of Customer Experience and Social Impact, Nationwide

In June of this year Nationwide was proud to launch its new social impact programme , set up to help those who have been dealt an unfair hand. Through this programme we have partnered with three transformational charities (Centrepoint, Action for Children and Dementia UK) to tackle three of the biggest issues in society today - youth homelessness, families living in poverty and people living with dementia.

Our first initiative launched in July in partnership with Dementia UK. This saw Nationwide Fairer Futures introduce a pilot across our Wiltshire branches to offer free specialist dementia clinics, hosted by Admiral Nurses, to anyone impacted by dementia. Admiral Nurses are dementia specialist nurses who provide free, specialist advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it’s needed. They are a lifeline to families as they navigate life beyond a diagnosis, ensuring expert care is received at every stage of the journey. 

The branch clinic pilot has since led to a national roll-out and by May 2025, we expect 200 of our branches will be providing this invaluable service. This initiative can be a salvation to anyone impacted by dementia. It provides much needed support and somewhere to go on the high street to seek specialist advice. Our partnership also sees us funding additional nurses for Dementia UK’s dedicated enabling them to reach more people in need of vital support.

Through our partnership with Dementia UK, we aim to make a real difference to the lives of more than 100,000 people - helping those that have the condition and those people who care for them navigate the social care system. People like Ricky. 

‘We always think we have plenty of time with our family, but dementia is a cruel disease that takes away our loved ones." – Ricky Layal.

Ricky and his gran Harbaksh were extremely close. Her dream was always for her grandson to have his own family, and this came true when Ricky’s son was born. Despite her condition worsening and declining over time, Harbaksh fortunately still knew enough to understand who he was for the first 12-18 months and was able to hold him, sing songs to him and create some special memories.

For Ricky it was an extremely challenging time caring for a newborn, while also navigating his feelings on his Gran and the fear and guilt due to the impact of this cruel condition – the country’s leading cause of death in England and Wales. 

Ricky was torn between spending time with his son and his gran - giving her the love and care she deserved and needed as her condition progressed. Sadly, Harbaksh passed away in April this year.  
One of the ways Ricky was able to deal with caring for his gran was to seek support through Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.

“Living with dementia is isolating, and you can’t think clearly when you’re in the thick of it”, said Ricky. “I called the Helpline many times throughout gran’s dementia journey when I’ve needed expert support.”

We are very proud of the impact this initiative is already having and this is only the beginning of what Nationwide Fairer Futures will deliver for local communities and society. Over the next three years our partnership with these incredible charities will see us working together to achieve the following:

- tackling youth homelessness - 3,500 homeless young people will be supported to take steps towards independence and a home of their own. Our aim is to enable them to have a home where they feel safe, where they belong and where they can rebuild their lives. 
 
- helping families living in poverty - 100,000 children, young people and parents living in poverty or experiencing financial hardship will be given practical and emotional support. Our aim is to provide a lifeline for those in desperate need, enrich the lives of children and help families improve their situations. 
 
– helping those with dementia - 100,000 people living with dementia and their carers will be supported through specialist care and guidance. Our aim is to empower people to have the best life possible, for as long as possible. 

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