The legacy of COVID-19 in dementia community support: ongoing impacts on the running of meeting centres

Purpose – The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption in community support for vulnerable older people and is thought to have exacerbated existing issues within UK adult social care. This study examines the legacy of that disruption on how Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia have been impacted in continually evolving circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted at three Meeting Centre case study sites. Ninety-eight participants including people living with dementia, family carers, staff, volunteers, trustees and external partners were asked about the impact and legacy of the pandemic upon Meeting Centres. A thematic analysis was carried out on the data.

Findings – Ten themes were identified: Ability to re-open venues; Increased health decline and loss of members due to isolation; Closure or halting of linking services and dementia community support; Disruption to diagnosis and referrals; Increase in outreach, building communities and overall reach; Digital access and use of technology (boom and decline); Changes to carer involvement and engagement; Continued uncertainty and changes to funding, resources and governance; Staff and volunteer recruitment issues; Relief at/wish for return to pre-pandemic norms.

Originality and value – This paper offers new insight into a still-developing situation, namely the legacy effects of the pandemic upon third-sector community support for people affected by dementia, and the health and social care services that support it. The reduction in maintenance of pandemic-era technological innovations is a key finding.