DEMENTIA IN SOCIETY
Kate Lee takes the helm at Alzheimer’s Society In April 2020, Kate Lee started her position as the new Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society (UK). She reflects on new beginnings and on leading during the COVID-19 pandemic. What made you decide to take the position as Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society?
You started in this new role during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health crisis it has brought about. How has it been for you to take the helm I have worked in charities my whole career during this difficult period, with the uncerand feel passionately about their work and tainty and anxiety it has brought as well as importance in UK society, so I was excited by the impact it is having economically, politithe challenge of leading a large not for profit cally and socially? Have there been positives organisation. However, my decision went fur- as well as negatives? ther than that. Well, it has certainly been a challenge. I am My mum was diagnosed with dementia 16 a very visible leader, who loves meeting peoyears ago and my grandmother before her. ple, so doing my first six months purely sat Dementia has therefore dominated my life in my little spare bedroom hasn’t felt the for a long time and robbed me of some of greatest way to start a new role. There have my most special and important relationships. been some positives, as I have already menI feel I understand some of the challenges tioned, but we have also had to cut some dementia brings first hand and wanted to services, make redundancies and, obvibring the combination of my experience ously, received almost daily news of the and passion for the cause together into this devastation COVID-19 has brought to famiincredible opportunity. lies affected by dementia, particularly those in residential care. It has been a very diffiWhat are your main hopes and aims for the cult, sad and frustrating time for all and it is future of the organisation? credit to the Alzheimer’s Society team that they have achieved such amazing results Right now our focus is very much about despite the pressures. I am in awe! surviving COVID-19, ensuring that the organisation is as responsive as possible to people With Britain having left the EU, Alzheimer living with and affected by dementia as they Europe is keen to continue its collaborastruggle with this rapidly changing environ- tion with Alzheimer’s Society, and other UK ment. We have seen so many positive things colleagues, to ensure dementia is a priorover the last few months: better collabora- ity at national and European level. How do tive working, a clearer focus on the things you see the relationship and collaboration that evidence tells us makes a difference and, evolving between Alzheimer’s Society and as an organisation, working (almost!) seam- Alzheimer Europe, as well as other European lessly as one team. organisations? Does Alzheimer’s Society plan to maintain the same level of collabI want to build on all those things in future, oration in the future? to create a vibrant organisation focussed on impact that is also a very credible partner Dementia is a global issue, and we will of choice for other organisations and pro- continue our long held collaboration with fessionals working to reduce the impact of Alzheimer Europe to help maintain demendementia. tia as a priority in Europe. Working with
Kate Lee
Alzheimer Europe and its other member organisations is essential in sharing understanding of how we are all tackling the issues that people face, as well as what we are doing in terms of influencing and engagement to better develop national responses through service development, support and government-led strategy. Continuing to work with European colleagues is not just about the EU and in terms of research, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Europe have a long history of collaboration both directly and indirectly through other European funders, which we look forward to continuing. Research is a borderless endeavour and ensuring knowledge and expertise is able to move freely must remain our priority. There will be opportunities to fund collaboratively across borders, but also the need to support researchers working in different jurisdictions. Only by continuing our partnership will we tackle the global challenge of dementia.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ @alzheimerssoc
Dementia in Europe
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