Meet the Team

Kate founded Memory Matters in 2010 following conversations with those living with dementia. 

Kate is a qualified nurse and has worked in many different areas, from hospital nursing to GP nursing, working as a nurse in charities and received an Honorary Degree in Public Health in 2023 from Marjon University. Kate has led Memory Matters for the past 15 years and is driven today as the day it started.

Kate is passionate about providing services built by listening to the voices of those with lived experience of dementia and is hugely proud of the incredible team who provide wonderful services to enhance the lives of those affected by dementia. 

Mark joined  Memory Matters in October 2024 as the Chief Operating Officer.

Mark has over 35 years of operational management experience in the Military and corporate business sectors working for Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer, The Co-operative Group and the Royal Marines. His goal is to enable Memory Matters to help more people by increasing the profile of the organisation and the income received.

‘‘The Memory Matters team are great to work with and they are always so positive. It is a joy to work here and help so many people living with dementia.’’

Vannessa joined Memory Matters in May 2019 as the Finance Manager.

Vannessa has over 25 years in the social enterprise and voluntary sectors in various local charities. Her goal is to ensure the financial health and stability of Memory Matters to help the organisation continue to provide vital services and grow to meet the demand.

‘‘It is great to work with a positive solution-focused team who have a significant impact on the overall quality and effectiveness of Memory Matters services’’

Cyana joined Memory Matters in 2021 as one of the Dementia Advisors.

She has spent 35 years as a Mental Health Nurse, with much of her nursing career working with people living with dementia and their families.

Cyana loves working at Memory Matters and enjoys meeting and helping beneficiaries and their carers.

Shania joined Memory Matters in 2018, where she started off volunteering at Moments Cafe.

After volunteering for a few months, she was offered a part-time job in Moments while studying at University. Shania graduated in 2020 with a Bsc Community and Public Service Management (Healthcare). Whilst at University, Shania specialised in dementia and completed her dissertation around the public perception of dementia in Plymouth. Once she graduated Shania then was given the opportunity to manage the Memory Wellbeing project in Plymouth, which now delivers 3 groups of CST a week. 

Shania really enjoys working for Memory Matters as she views her team as one little family. However, the best thing is she gets to provide meaningful therapeutic activities that help slow down the progression of dementia.

Damian started working for Memory Matters in 2017. He is a hospitality enthusiast with 25 years of experience. He has managed several restaurants and hotels. He has experience and skills in team leadership, problem-solving and strategic planning. 

His goals are to help grow and promote  Moments Cafe to help provide more services to people living with dementia.

Debbie joined Memory Matters as a volunteer facilitator for the Memory Cafe in September 2021 and in August 2022 became a Dementia Advisor as well as running the Memory Cafe groups.

Debbie has over 30 years of experience working in Adult Health and Social Care.

Debbie says her colleagues, customers and the Memory Cafe members have become her second family.

‘‘To work for Memory Matters is an honour and the whole team is dedicated to improving those affected by dementia. I feel so very lucky to be part of this wonderful caring and professional team. To feel valued and listened to and to support people living with dementia is the best feeling ever. If I have made someone's day a lot better by putting a smile on their face then it’s job done.’’

Georgia joined Memory Matters In June 2023 as a Business Administrative Apprentice.

Georgia's apprenticeship at Memory Matters has been a rewarding experience. She has developed strong business administration skills and gained valuable knowledge about dementia and the hospitality industry. Georgia will soon be completing her apprenticeship and is excited to become the Social and Communications Officer where she will continue to support Memory Matters through marketing and networking efforts. 

Georgia loves working at Memory Matters, particularly due to the positive and supportive team she works with and the rewarding interactions she has with beneficiaries.

Vanessa joined Memory Matters in June 2023, as a co-facilitator for CST groups in Plymouth and Liskeard. 

She previously worked in care, visiting clients in their homes, many of whom were living with dementia. She saw first-hand what a difference a friendly face and a chat - something which she feels is the very essence of CST - can make to a person’s day. 

Vanessa says the best part of working at Memory Matters is the positivity that infuses everything the organisation does. Colleagues are supportive and caring towards each other, and managers are open to ideas and contributions from team members. Vanessa finds her role extremely satisfying: ‘‘ Our wonderful beneficiaries tell us that they gain so much from our groups, not just in terms of the therapy they engage in, but socially -  making friends and being with others who are going through the same experience.  Every group plays out differently but each one is a joy to be part of.’’

Anita has worked in the care industry for about 30 years. In this time she has achieved a BSC Hons in Health and Social Care amongst other qualifications. She has worked with all genres of care but has always come back to those living with dementia, feeling that it is a privilege to be able to support people during this most challenging part of their life journey. 

‘‘Working at Memory Matters is a joy. The camaraderie and fun of the cognitive stimulation therapy sessions is something that just can’t be emulated in any other scenario. The focus on what people can achieve rather than what has been taken away is paramount to the success and enjoyment of each group - and in this world of doom and gloom, isn’t it great to be able to focus on the positives for a change?’’

Sophie started working for Memory Matters in 2012 as an activity worker in peoples own homes.

Sophie previously had years of experience working with older people and worked in a daycare centre and as an occupational therapy assistant in an acute hospital.

During her time with Memory Matters, she has worked on many different projects.  These include working on lottery-funded projects providing CST to people living with dementia in their communities, helping museum staff successfully set up CST groups in Truro Museum, transferring CST sessions online to keep people attending our groups connected during COVID, and working with a team of developers to create a CST app.

Sophie feels proud to be part of such a progressive organisation which undoubtedly improves the lives of people living with dementia and their loved ones in Cornwall and Devon.

Clarinda joined Memory Matters in 2013, before which she worked for 16 years in a day centre setting. Since being with Memory Matters Clarinda has provided  1-1 CST activity work in the homes of people living with dementia as well as co-facilitating in CST day groups.

She also handles new referrals to the groups and is a dementia advisor in Cornwall.

Clarinda is passionate that people living with dementia are empowered to live well through the support that the Memory Matters team provides.

Michelle joined Memory Matters in June 2024 as a Dementia Advisor in Bude and the Tamar Valley.

Michelle has 25 years of experience as a primary school teacher and believes that everyone has a unique story and experience to share. Her aim is to help people living with dementia to feel valued, supported and listened to.

‘‘Memory Matters is a diverse and dedicated team, working together to build positive relationships and make a difference every day.’’

Tad joined the Memory Matters team in June 2024 as a Community Dementia Advisor. She has over 15 years of experience working in Speech Therapy for the NHS in Kent before relocating to Cornwall in May 2023.

Tad's passion is supporting and enabling people to live their best possible lives.

‘‘Working with such a great team of passionately caring people, makes this role a pleasure to be part of!’’

Dani joined Memory Matters in July 2024 as a Dementia Advisor in East Cornwall.

She graduated from Bangor University with a degree in Psychology with Neuropsychology.

Having previously worked in domiciliary care and adult speech and language therapy, she brings knowledge, experience and compassion to this role.

“I believe the work here at Memory Matters has such a positive impact. We advocate a person-centred approach to support living a happy and healthy life, as families enter the next chapter of their lives.”

Sue joined Memory Matters in October 2024 as a course facilitator and dementia advisor, a role she finds both rewarding and uplifting as she sees the positive impact it has on the clients she supports.

Sue began her career as a state-registered nurse and undertook further training to become a midwife, progressing to the role of midwifery sister. Her work took her from hospital settings to the community and even abroad to Saudi Arabia. Before having children, she pursued a passion for psychotherapy, earning a master’s degree from Bristol University, and worked as a psychotherapist for ten years.

After a career change, Sue joined a family business and requalified as a Human Resources manager. Upon moving to Cornwall, she became a wellbeing coach for Age UK and trained as a Love to Move facilitator, helping individuals with dementia improve their quality of life.