About Us
The number of people with dementia is growing and we want to help make their lives as normal and as positive as possible.
We work with families so that they can respond confidently and positively to their family member with dementia in a way that maintains and enhances their dignity.
Meet the team
Diane Smilie
Co-founder & Director
Diane set up Dignity in Dementia with Lesley in 2014. Prior to that she had worked in Social Care for over 25 years managing highly rated domiciliary care organisations and a care home. This provided her with vast knowledge and understanding of the complexities for families that caring for their elderly relatives who have dementia can bring, whether that is living in their own home or within a dementia specialist Home.
She has a range of social care, management, training and dementia qualifications and actively searches out new opportunities to enhance her learning and CPD (Continued Professional Development)
Diane leads on Dignity in Dementia’s day-to-day operations, which includes planning and delivery of our dementia sessions, managing projects, responding to referrals and being our main link for families. She is also responsible for coaching and supervising our staff and associates.
Lesley Gill
Co-founder & Director
Lesley started her Social Care career in 1995, initially supporting individuals with learning disabilities. In 2004 she joined Cumbria County Council with a remit to support the Counties social care providers to up-skill their staff. She did this by developing and managing Care Sector Alliance Cumbria, which was viewed as an innovative and cutting-edge partnership and won many awards. She also led the work of the Cumbria Multi-Agency Dignity Steering Group.
Lesley has a range of social care, management, teaching and dementia qualifications and actively searches out new opportunities to enhance her learning and CPD (Continued Professional Development).
She is Dignity in Dementia’s Development Lead and her work involves gaining funding and new business, managing contracts and having financial oversight. She also carries out research and evaluation, produces the text for all of our literature and writes our dementia themed poems.
Jenny Connor
Manager
Jenny joined Dignity in Dementia early in 2025 with a view to continuing the organisation as Diane and Lesley step back a little. Jenny has previously worked in health and social care and has experience of developing and running a business that supports older people. She has brought lots of enthusiasm and great ideas to the team.
Janet Bowers
Non-executive Director
Janet cared for her husband who had dementia and during this time, received support from Dignity in Dementia. She found our approach very helpful and after her husband died, was very happy to get involved in our work. Janet is a retired PE teacher.
Our Advisory Group
To ensure that the information we provide is relevant and meaningful to people with dementia and their family members we facilitate an informal Advisory Group. The group comprises of people with early stage dementia and family carers who attend our activity groups, as well as individuals who have completed our Dignity in Dementia Family Carers course. They are very well placed to suggest new developments and share their opinions about our many ideas. Additionally, they help keep us abreast of the realities of caring for someone with dementia on a daily basis.
Volunteers
We have a core set of volunteers who support various aspects of our work. Most have been or are currently family carers supporting a relative with dementia. They help us run our Dementia Activity Groups, assist us at Dementia events and willingly get involved in other dementia related projects.