Hampshire dementia charity founder Helen Hamblen named national award finalist
Helen Hamblen, founder of Dementia Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight, is a finalist in the 2026 Dementia Care Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Dementia. Just four years after launching the charity, she’s been recognized for transforming local dementia care amid a crisis in diagnosis delays.
Helen Hamblen, chief executive of Dementia Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Dementia Care Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Dementia — four years after launching the charity in 2022. The announcement comes as Hampshire faces a growing dementia crisis, with delayed diagnoses and fragmented care pathways leaving families struggling to navigate the system.
Hamblen’s nomination is the latest milestone for a service that has rapidly expanded from a single peer support group to a regional hub supporting thousands of people living with dementia and their families. In an interview, she described the personal and professional journey that led to the charity’s creation. “I didn’t set out to found a charity,” she said. “I set out to fix a broken system.”
Key Points
- ✅ Helen Hamblen founded Dementia Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight in 2022 after years of caring for her father with multiple dementia diagnoses
- ⚡ The charity now runs 12 peer support groups and a helpline, supporting thousands across Hampshire
- 💡 Hamblen left a marketing career to gain hands-on experience in dementia care before launching the service
Hamblen’s father, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia with Parkinson’s, became the catalyst for change. “We faced endless barriers,” she recalled. “Confusing referrals, long waits, and a system that treated symptoms, not people.” Those struggles led her to spend five years working in national and local charities, studying how communities respond to dementia care gaps.
| Aspect | Before Hamblen’s Charity | After Launch (2022–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Support Access | Multiple fragmented services with no central guidance | Single point of contact: helpline, peer groups, and navigation support |
| Awareness | Limited public understanding and few local events | 12 active support groups and regular awareness campaigns |
| Volunteer Involvement | Minimal coordinated volunteer structure | 70 trained volunteers supporting day-to-day operations |
The charity now employs five staff and operates across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, offering not only emotional support but practical guidance through the dementia journey. Hamblen emphasized that the award nomination reflects the collective effort of staff, volunteers, and families. “This isn’t about me,” she said. “It’s about everyone who stayed when the work got hard.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 5 years — Time Hamblen spent learning dementia care systems before launching the charity
- 70 volunteers — Now actively supporting the charity’s peer groups and helpline
- 12 peer groups — Active across Hampshire, serving rural and urban communities alike
Since 2022, the charity has supported thousands of individuals and families, offering more than just crisis intervention. It runs structured programmes, hosts monthly awareness events, and has launched a new service dedicated to veterans with dementia — a group often overlooked in standard dementia care pathways.
- 2022 — Charity founded after Hamblen’s father’s diagnosis
- 2023 — First peer support group launched in Winchester
- 2024 — Helpline operational with 24/7 availability
- 2025 — Expansion to Isle of Wight and veteran-specific support service
- 2026 — Nominated for national dementia care award
Hamblen’s recognition arrives at a critical time. Recent studies show Hampshire’s dementia diagnosis rates lag behind national averages, with many cases identified only after symptoms become severe. “Early diagnosis saves lives,” she said. “But access to support saves dignity.”
💡 Pro Tip
If you suspect dementia in a loved one, record specific symptoms and concerns before a GP visit — include dates, changes in behavior, and how daily routines are affected. Bring this documented history to appointments; it can cut diagnosis delays by weeks.
The Dementia Care Awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate innovation and dedication within the sector. Finalists are chosen by a panel of experts and people living with dementia, ensuring recognition is grounded in real impact. Hamblen’s nomination highlights not only her leadership but the urgent need for community-led solutions in a health system stretched beyond capacity.
- 📊 Dementia Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight now supports over 3,000 individuals annually
- 🔍 40% of service users report improved emotional well-being within three months of joining a peer group
- ⚠️ Despite progress, one in five families still wait over six months for a diagnosis in Hampshire
As the awards ceremony approaches, Hamblen remains focused on the work ahead. “We’ve built a lifeline,” she said. “But we’re still building it for the next person who needs it.”