Speaker Joins MPs as Berkley Care Group Launches Dementia Strategy in Parliament

A leading all-inclusive care provider brought dementia care to the heart of Westminster last week with the launch of its new Dementia Strategy.

The day began in Speaker’s Court where parliamentarians including former Minister for Care Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, joined Berkley Care Group in experiencing first-hand the daily realities of living with dementia through an immersive demonstration.

The initiative offered MPs a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by the 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and the families and carers who support them.

Thereafter, nearly 40 leaders from across health and social care gathered in the House of Lords for a parliamentary reception. The event was built on the immersive experience of the afternoon, offering space for reflection and discussion. Among the attendees were Nadra Ahmed CBE DL, Chair of the National Care Association, and Matt Taylor, Chief Officer at Age UK Reading.

At the reception, Wendy Chamberlain MP, sponsor of both the Carer’s Leave Act, reflected on how her own family had been touched by dementia and emphasised the importance of initiatives like the tour in helping parliamentarians build empathy and awareness. She was followed by Laura Perry, Chief Executive of Berkley Care Group, who introduced the organisation’s new Dementia Strategy.

Built around five key pillars – environment, families, residents, team members, and innovation – the strategy demonstrates Berkley’s commitment to sector-leading practice across all its twelve homes. The strategy reinforces Berkley Care Group’s position at the forefront of innovation in dementia care.

In her comments after the reception, Laura Perry, CEO of Berkley Care Group, said:

“I’m so proud that our care team is at the forefront of understanding, compassion and innovation in dementia care. Launching the Dementia Strategy in Parliament reinforced our passionate belief that effective innovation in care goes hand in hand with a shared understanding.

“As a care group, our commitment is that a dementia diagnosis does not define a resident. That is why our homes offer environments where individuals can continue to thrive, families feel supported, and teams are equipped to deliver care rooted in dignity, understanding and innovation.”

At the reception, Wendy Chamberlain MP, sponsor of the Carer’s Leave Act, commented:

“Like so many families, mine has been touched by dementia, and I know first-hand how devastating it can be. Greater understanding of what dementia truly means makes a real difference, not just for those living with it, but for the families and carers who provide vital support.”