Micheál McLaughlin

Greater Manchester Carer Involvement Lead

My role involves engaging, empowering and enabling carers of people with dementia to use their stories, to have a voice. Carers’ input is of equal importance to that of health and social care professionals within the decision-making processes throughout Greater Manchester’s Devolution. As such, I work within local communities to help groups and organisations identify carers and find opportunities for them to engage, depending on their circumstances and wishes. Specifically, I help facilitate a Dementia Carers Expert Reference Group (DCERG) that supports the development of key identified work streams, ensuring carer representation throughout all of Greater Manchester.

About Micheál…

I have worked in health and social care for almost a decade. I began my career as a health care professional in an independent hospital for people living with dementia at the later stages. Through dedication and hard work I was promoted several times within the hospital, and, thereafter, promoted to a central team within the organisation to support development of all dementia services nationally. Whilst working, I undertook a full time qualification graduating as an Occupational Therapist.

My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s not long after I started my career in healthcare. I supported my grandfather, and family, through the progression of his condition and his end of life. My own personal experience both professionally and in the support I provided for my grandfather and family has caused me to understand, first-hand, how underrepresented carers are. I joined tide in 2019 because their ethos and mission statement aligned with my own personal beliefs, drive, and passion as to how we create a better dementia support system: with individuals at the heart of all decisions and developments made both locally and nationally.