Activities at The Hilary and Galen Weston Rare Dementia Support Centre

In summer 2026 we opened The Hilary and Galen Weston Rare Dementia Support Centre, the new home of Rare Dementia Support, delivered in partnership with UCL and The National Brain Appeal.

Designed with and for people affected by rare dementias, the Centre provides a welcoming, home-from-home environment where members and their family and friends can come together to connect, learn and take part in a wide range of activities.

Whether you are looking to meet others with shared experiences, explore your creativity, stay active, or simply spend time in a supportive community, there is something for everyone. Activities include support group meetings, creative arts sessions, music and cultural events, movement and wellbeing activities, educational workshops, social gatherings and opportunities to share experiences with others who understand the challenges of living with a rare dementia.

The Centre also offers spaces for informal conversations, one-to-one support and family activities, helping people stay connected, engaged and supported no matter which stage of their journey they are in.

Below is a calendar of events we are holding at the Centre from September to November 2026:

Calendar coming soon

Activities at our Regional Network Hubs

Our Regional Network Hubs bring Rare Dementia Support closer to communities across the UK, making it easier for members and families to access support, information and opportunities to connect with others locally, all while remaining firmly connected to the national expertise and resources of RDS.

Delivered in partnership with healthcare professionals, volunteers and community organisations, and funded by The National Brain Appeal, each hub grows organically, offering a programme of activities shaped by the interests and needs of local members. Activities may include support groups, social meet-ups, talks and workshops, creative sessions, wellbeing activities, community outings and opportunities to build friendships with others affected by rare dementias.

While every hub is different, all share the same aim: to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can come together, share experiences and feel part of a supportive and understanding community, while receiving information and guidance tailored to rare dementias. Whether you are newly diagnosed, supporting a family member, or living with a rare dementia, our Regional Network Hubs provide opportunities to stay connected, informed and engaged closer to home. Each hub will have its own list of upcoming meet-ups and activities.

Our hubs include:

• Hertfordshire Regional Network Hub
• Kent Regional Network Hub
• Leicester Regional Network Hub
• Newcastle Regional Network Hub
• Powderham (Devon) Regional Network Hub
• South London Regional Network Hub (led ad funded by St George’s NHS Foundation Trust)
• Sussex Regional Network Hub (located in Brighton)

Coming in 2026-2027:

• Cornwall Regional Network Hub
• Salford/Manchester Regional Network Hub
• Cambridge Regional Network Hub
• Dublin Regional Network Hub
• Liverpool Regional Network Hub
• Sheffield Regional Network Hub
• Birmingham Regional Network Hub
• Bristol Regional Network Hub