Meet the speakers

3 headshots for the speakers of DSIG in March - from left to right, Beth Britton a woman with shoulder length brown hair smiling in a pink cardigan. In the middle is Melissa Grundy, a woman with blonde hair in a bun, and of the right Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, a woman with glasses and a red shirt smiling

Beth Britton MBE

Beth is a former carer to her father who had vascular dementia for 19 years. She is an expert content creator who won ‘Best Independent Voice on Older People’s Issues’ and is the author of D4Dementia, one of the foremost dementia blogs in the world. Beth also provides consultancy services to social care providers, including training and mentoring, and has worked with a variety of organisations including the Dept for Health and Social Care, CQC, PHE and NICE. Beth’s campaigning, including being a speaker and media spokesperson, centers around improving dementia care and support, the challenges in social care and issues facing family carers. Beth was the winner of Outstanding Contribution to Dementia Care at the 2024 Dementia Care Awards, and was made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2025.

Beth has been described as offering ‘unparalleled insight’, demonstrating ‘knowledge, experience and expertise in dementia that is second-to-none’, having a ‘gifted ability to convey ideas and experiences’, being a ‘constant unyielding advocate of the intrinsic value and diversity of each individual living with dementia’, and possessing ‘personal experience, commitment and understanding that challenges us all to do better’.

Melissa Grundy, Dementia UK

Melissa is the Consultant Admiral Nurse for Frailty and Physical Health at Dementia UK. She qualified as a Registered General Nurse at De Montfort University in 2005 and has since built a rich and varied nursing career. Her early roles included staff nurse positions in surgery and community hospitals, where she developed strong clinical skills and a passion for person centred care. She later progressed to become a Lead Admiral Nurse in acute care, providing specialist dementia support across complex hospital environments.

Melissa has a particular clinical interest in delirium, recognising its significant impact on people living with dementia and on the families and carers supporting them. Her extensive experience working alongside families continues to drive her commitment to improving care, strengthening understanding and promoting best practice.

She joined Dementia UK in 2025 as a Consultant Admiral Nurse for Frailty and Physical Health, bringing compassion, expertise and a deep dedication to enhancing outcomes for those affected by dementia.

Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Victoria & Stuart Project

Irene Tuffrey-Wijne is a Professor of Intellectual Disability & Palliative Care at Kingston University and leads the Victoria and Stuart project. In the 1980s she lived and worked in L’Arche London (a community with people with learning disabilities). In the 1990s she worked as a nurse at Trinity Hospice, London. She has conducted research around bereavement, dying and learning disabilities since 2000, and also leads on co-production in the NHS England Learning Disability Mortality Review (LeDeR) Programme.

Jacqui Bingham

Jacqui Bingham is a guest speaker, talking about her experience of living with dementia

Listen to our Podcast which describes the benefits of attending the Dementia Special Interest Group meeting

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