The Story Behind TIDE: How Together in Dementia Everyday Was Formed

Together in Dementia Everyday (TIDE) was created from a deep recognition that carers of people with dementia were being routinely overlooked in both policy and practice. While dementia strategies often focused on diagnosis, services, and clinical care, the voices of unpaid carers—those supporting loved ones day in and day out—were too often absent. TIDE was formed to change that.

Launched in 2015, TIDE emerged from the Life Story Network, a social enterprise based in Liverpool that had been working to promote person-centred approaches in health and social care. Through its work, the Network consistently heard from carers who felt isolated, undervalued, and unheard. Many spoke of the emotional toll of caregiving, the lack of support, and the frustration of not being included in decisions about the person they cared for. It became clear there was a need for a national movement to bring carers together and amplify their voices.

TIDE was built on a simple but powerful principle: carers are experts by experience. Rather than being passive recipients of support, they should be active participants in shaping services, research, and policy. From the beginning, TIDE aimed to provide not only peer support but also opportunities for carers to influence change—through training, advocacy, and co-production with professionals and researchers.

The organisation quickly grew into a UK-wide network, connecting current and former carers of people with dementia. It offered a platform for carers to speak out, share stories, and push for better recognition and rights. Over the years, TIDE has become a respected voice in dementia care reform, influencing policy and research at local and national levels.

At its heart, TIDE remains true to its founding mission: to ensure that carers are seen, heard, and involved—every step of the way.