Nationwide today confirms it has hit its target of hosting dementia specialist Admiral Nurse clinics across 200 of its branches - bringing free expert dementia care to Britain’s high streets.
Since launching the initiative in September 2024, demand for the free clinic appointments have surged, with more than 4,400 appointments booked.
Altogether, more than 30,000 people have been supported through Nationwide’s partnership with Dementia UK which includes the branch clinics, Dementia UK’s existing helpline and a Dementia at Work initiative running at Nationwide.
The clinic programme was launched to make it as easy as possible to get advice about dementia - providing support on the high street at a time of rising need. According to the latest NHS figures, almost a million people in the UK are living with dementia, which is the leading cause of death in the country. With one in two people expected to be affected in their lifetime, the need for accessible support has never been greater.
Families from across the UK can access expert help almost instantly, without the long wait times often associated with GP services and without having to be a customer of the building society.
This latest insight is a major milestone in Nationwide’s social impact strategy Fairer Futures – a programme aiming to help those who have been dealt an unfair hand. It does this by tackling the issues of youth homelessness, families living in poverty and the challenges faced by those living with dementia, while also helping save and improve the lives of cancer patients across the UK and around the world.
Regional demand: to date, northern regions have seen the highest demand (1,862 appointments), followed by southern regions (1,474 appointments) and central regions (1,093 appointments).
Themes: The data also reveals the most common themes discussed during appointments. Nearly one in five visitors (19%) sought help accessing wider support services, such as benefits and care pathways. A further 12 per cent focused on understanding dementia itself and how best to support loved ones living with the condition and 11 per cent wanted psychological and emotional support, highlighting the toll dementia can take on families and the importance of expert guidance.
Paul Edwards, Chief Nursing Officer for Dementia UK, said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone. Nationwide branches offer a safe and familiar setting for our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses to support people affected by the condition. The strong demand for the practical and emotional support Admiral Nurses offer supports the ambitions of the partnership and we are looking forward to returning to branches around the country throughout the rest of this ground-breaking partnership.”
Charlotte Kensett, Director of Customer Experience and Social Impact at Nationwide, said: “Reaching our aim of hosting dementia clinics across 200 of our branches is a proud moment for Nationwide and a reflection of the growing need for accessible, expert support across the UK. These clinics hosted by specialist dementia Admiral Nurses are helping thousands of families, who can get the guidance they need when it matters most. Through Nationwide Fairer Futures, we’re committed to making sure no one faces dementia alone, whether they’re a customer or not.”
Hosting specialist dementia nurses in its branches is one of many ways the UK’s largest building society is living up to its mutual status. Most recently it became the first financial provider to offer a free unclaimed benefits calculator over the phone – in addition to online - for customers and non-customers, with over £2.9 million in unclaimed benefits being uncovered in the first two months since launch.
Their branches also provide Safe Spaces for anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse - where survivors can access a private room to help them deal with issues or use a phone to call family, friends or specialist support. And by backing ground-breaking research like Project Nemo’s report on barriers faced by people with learning disabilities, Nationwide is pushing the sector to raise its game as it works to shape a fairer banking system.
To book an appointment with a Dementia UK Admiral Nurse at one of Nationwide’s branches, see here.
