Feasibility study of a post-diagnostic peer-led dementia course: Addressing uncertainties for a randomised controlled trial of the Good Life course
Dementia
This research is a randomised feasibility study of trial processes and intervention implementation with an embedded qualitative element. The feasibility study will test processes and gather information for the planning of a definitive randomised trial to evaluate the Good Life course. The embedded qualitative element will enable us to gather further insight into the acceptability and inclusivity of the research processes and intervention implementation. The research study is a 27-month study with three phases: Phase 1: Development of a manual and training for the Good Life with Dementia course (months 1-7) Phase 2: Feasibility site set up across three sites in England (months 1-7) Phase 3: Feasibility trial across three sites with an embedded qualitative element (months 8-27) Broad timetable for stages of research: Month 1-7: develop PPIE networks, co-produce inclusive recruitment strategies, undertake GL manualisation, develop facilitator training package, review with stakeholders. Months 8-15: Run the facilitator training, recruit participants with dementia, administer decliner questionnaire, obtain consent, collect baseline data and undertake randomisation. Newly trained facilitators support tailoring of the course to local contexts with peer-tutors. Months 16-18: GL course delivery, IiD to assess fidelity, T1 data collection, qualitative interviews and FGs. Months 19-22; complete qualitative and T2 quant data collection. Months 23–27 analysis, writing, knowledge exchange. Phase 1: We will host three workshops with a range of stakeholders, two for the manual development and one for the training development. The Three Strand Advisory network (practitioners, experts by experience, South Asian subgroup) and Project Management Group (co-applicants and delivery partners) will feed into this. The development of the manual is the first step to developing the facilitator training. The training will be built around the model’s core constructs, be consistent with the man
Current key inclusion criteria as of 04/06/2026: 1. Adults of any age 2. Has received a diagnosis of dementia of any type from a medical professional or other practitioner empowered to assess this (For recruitment through NHS) 3. Self- identifies as having a dementia diagnosis (For recruitment through community organisations) 4. Living in a community local to the proposed Good Life course (bounded by memory service or community organisation recruiting) 5. With mental capacity to give informed consent 6. Willing and able to attend a 6-week in person group intervention For dedicated South Asian Group 7. Self-identify as a member of a South Asian Community _____ Previous key inclusion criteria: Adults of any age: 1. Has received a diagnosis of dementia of any type from a medical professional or other practitioner empowered to assess this (for recruitment through the NHS) 2. Self- identifies as having a dementia diagnosis (for recruitment through community organisations) 3. Diagnosed within the previous 12 months (from consent to contact) 4. Living in a community local to the proposed Good Life course (bounded by memory service or community organisation recruiting) 5. With mental capacity to give informed consent (at baseline) 6. Willing and able to attend a 6-week in-person group intervention For the dedicated South Asian Group: Self-identify as a member of a South Asian Community
Current key exclusion criteria as of 04/06/2026: 1. People with dementia 2. People without the mental capacity to give informed consent at baseline 3. People with dementia living in care homes 4. People attending or booked to attend similar group-based interventions (such as LivDem) other than those that form part of usual care such as CST. 5. If the trajectory of the person's health (based on clinical judgement) suggests that they will be unable to participate to the end of the planned data collection (six months post course attendance) _____ Previous key exclusion criteria: 1. People without the mental capacity to give informed consent at baseline 2. People with dementia living in care homes 3. People diagnosed more than 12 months ago (from consent to contact) 4. People attending or booked to attend similar group-based interventions (such as LivDem) other than those that form part of usual care such as CST 5. If the trajectory of the person's health (based on clinical judgement) suggests that they will be unable to participate to the end of the planned data collection (6 months post course attendance)