Who’s who at LDDAA

Alison Scutt - Chair

My own story started when I was looking for care for my mother who did not live local to me. We had searched hard to find a reputable care company who were consistent, communicative and reliable, with carers whom my mother trusted. We enrolled Home Instead to care for my mother and this opened my eyes to what care should be; transparent, trustworthy and delivered with dignity.

Lesley Cruickshank-Robb - Vice Chair

I am a Care consultant and Regional Partner for Promedica24 in Mid and East Sussex. I am a former nurse and residential care manager, I launched the Promedica24 East and Mid Sussex branch in 2017 to offer the people in my community a genuine alternative to residential care.

With my background in nursing and experience in the residential care sector, I understand the importance of personalised care in improving people’s quality of life. I also understand the difficulties families face when navigating the complexities of the care system.

Lauren Puttock-Brown - Secretary

I am an Associate at Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors. I joined LDDAA to build a relationship with people living with dementia in my local community, so you have a friendly face to call upon if you need to seek legal advice. Among other things, I can help you to give someone else legal authority to speak on your behalf and manage your affairs if you become less capable of doing so independently, and also provide guidance on how to ensure that your estate is dealt with in the way that you wish when you pass away.

Debra Skeen - Treasurer

I am a singer and voice coach with over 40 years’ experience.

Since moving to East Sussex I have concentrated on delivering Music for the Brain sessions to the community and specialise in working with those living with Dementia and Parkinson’s.

I also run well-being choirs and ukulele classes at the Lewes House of Friendship. Everyone is welcome.

Being a part of the LDDAA enables me to keep up to date with fellow care professionals and to help connect with our dementia community.

Janette Watkins - Committee Member

I am a former Bank Manager and now Pastoral Minister for Trinity Churches Lewes since 2005 supporting those in the community that are going through difficult times

I also run The Monday Club for the elderly in Lewes. The club is for those that live on their own and are lonely. We enjoy guest speakers, musical entertainment, arts and crafts and summer outings. We have a home cooked meal cooked by volunteers. The club is for fun and fellowship.

I helped set up and run the Dementia support group on the second Tuesday of the month for families who have loved runs with dementia

Julie Barnett - Committee Member

I am the Dementia and Frailty Social Prescriber for Foundry Healthcare Lewes, I have been in this role for over 5 years and love my job. It is a privilege to work with our patients who have cognitive / memory difficulties and their families and carers. you can contact myself or our team directly. My work consists of admin, patient and family support with information and advice as well as a listening ear, and networking to find details about local and national groups and organisations who are there for our patients living with dementia. We run several social groups as well as a Dementia Peer Support Group and a Carers Peer Support Group.

Michelle Whatford - Committee Member

Jesse Holden - Committee Member

I am the Customer Relationship Manager for Parris Lawn Nursing and Dementia Home in Ringmer, Lewes. I am passionate about helping residents and their families feel part of our community. I strongly believe every resident should have the opportunity to live their life as they wish.

I joined the LDDAA to assist where I could and to support any events or fundraisers that were being held. I have now made good friends at the LDDAA and the wonderful work they do regarding people living with Dementia, is something for us all to be proud of.

Clare Crouch - Committee Member

I’m the Managing Director of Lewes based creative design agency hrscreative. We work a lot with charities helping them raise their profile both locally and nationally.

I originally became involved with LDDAA when we designed their branding and literature. Then in my role as President of Lewes Chamber of Commerce, to raise awareness of Dementia training for local businesses, with the ultimate goal to help make the whole of the Lewes District ‘dementia friendly’.

Sue Murton – Committee Member

A photograph of Alison Scutt from Home Instead

Paula Ryan – Committee Member

I’m Paula Ryan, Chartered Financial Planner at Benchmark Financial Planning.

I have been working in Financial Services for at least 20 years and been an adviser since 2010. In 2017 I became a fully accredited member of Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) which provides me with the knowledge to help support individuals, families and professionals through the complexities of care and care fee funding.

Vacancy – Committee Member

We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join the LDDAA committee.

If you can spare a couple of hours a month to help raise awareness of dementia and support our local community, please get in touch and we would love to hear from you.