Positive Approach to Care®

Dementia Care Isn't Just a Job: It's a Vocation

At Dementia Training UK, we believe dementia care is more than a service; it's a calling shaped by experience, heart, and the Positive Approach to Care®. 

Let's Talk Dementia

 

 
 


Dementia Training Rooted in Real Experience and Compassion

We know that every family faces unique challenges on the dementia journey, and our mission is to provide the confidence and practical tools to care with compassion, connection, and understanding. Our person-centred philosophy means we go beyond theory. We're here not just as dementia care specialists, but as real people who've walked this road ourselves.

I'm neither an academic nor clinician but I am somebody with nearly two decades of experience professionally and personally working with people who live with dementia, doing the same job that you are. I know what works and what doesn't. 

Contact me here to arrange dementia care training for yourself, your company, or your support group.

 
 
 

About the Founder of Dementia Training UK

I'm Marion Harrington, founder of Dementia Training UK,a UK-based PAC certified dementia trainer and lifelong carer. My journey isn't just professional, it's personal. Before running groups and workshops, I supported individuals and families through challenging days, collaborating alongside them in hospitals, care homes, and private residences throughout the UK and Spain.

Much of my work as a dementia care specialist has been about bringing calm, reliability, and a bit of humour where it's needed most. Colleagues came to me for guidance, new carers found a supportive buddy, and overwhelmed families found an understanding ear. What I learned? Real change comes from training that's grounded in day-to-day realities, delivered with warmth, not just facts.

That's why Dementia Training UK exists: to share proven methods, like the Positive Approach to Care®, and the unique insights only lived experience brings. Here, training is practical, supportive, and packed with the know-how to help you connect and care better.

 
 
 


What Makes My Dementia Training Different

At Dementia Training UK, we don't teach theory from a textbook; we teach what works in real life. As certified dementia care specialists, our methods are hands-on, practical, and designed to empower families and care partners with useful, actionable skills. We regularly see reduced falls, lower reliance on medication, and notably improved quality of life for those living with dementia.

Because we keep one foot in the real world, not just the classroom, we ensure all our training is rooted in experience. Our approach combines the Positive Approach to Care® and insights from the SPECAL method (Contented Dementia Trust) so that every session offers real benefit,never just a tick-box exercise.

Our workshops and individual coaching blend empathy, humour, and practical guidance, covering communication strategies, confidence-building for families and carers, and step-by-step help for challenging times. When you train with Dementia Training UK, you're getting a person-centred dementia expert who appreciates that care is as much about heart as skill.

 
 
 

Qualifications That Support the Heart

Joining a Dementia Training UK support group means you'll have friendly faces and experienced trainers by your side, every step of the way.  Our experience and training as dementia care specialists ensure the best possible support for every family. Here's what you can expect:

  • Level 3 NVQ in Dementia Awareness

  • PAC (Positive Approach to Care®) Certified Independent Trainer

  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training

 
  • Advanced End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia (University of East Anglia)

  • Specialist training in advanced dementia programmes (The Good Care Group)

  • Years of hands-on work, understanding that the right care changes lives

 
 
 
 

My Mission

At Dementia Training UK, our mission is to transform how dementia is seen and supported. We want to break the myth that caring is about ticking boxes or simply managing symptoms. Instead, we focus on helping families, carers, and community groups across the UK to build real confidence and connection.

We're committed to equipping you with proven coping strategies that genuinely work, whether you're a relative caring for a loved one, a professional team member, or a community group wanting to make a difference. Our aim? To deliver person-centred dementia expertise with warmth and understanding, turning daunting journeys into shared paths of support.

If you're seeking more than theory, looking for help that's rooted in lived experience and designed around your needs, Dementia Training UK is here for you. You won't get death by PowerPoint, but you will get practical, compassionate training that really makes a difference.

 
 
 

 dementia training company in Leigh and Tonbridge

 

Certified by PAC™

 Legal info to add required by PAC -

1 PAC Certified Independent Trainers are not employees of Positive Approach, LLC. The opinions and views expressed by PAC Certified Independent Trainers do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Positive Approach, LLC or any of its employees. Positive Approach, LLC is not liable for any actions by PAC Certified Independent Trainers.

2 Disclaimer of Liability: The information and material provided by Dementia Training UK during consultations is not medical advice and should not be relied on as such. Dementia Training UK is not responsible for the actions of an individual who acts by relying on the information provided. Clients should use their own discretion in using and implementing the information that they receive in this and any subsequent consultations. 

 
 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What experience does Marion Harrington have in dementia care?

Marion Harrington has extensive hands-on experience supporting individuals and families with dementia in the UK and Spain, both in homes and care settings. She combines professional expertise with her own personal journey as a dementia care specialist.

What qualifications support your dementia care training?

Marion holds a Level 3 NVQ in Dementia Awareness, PAC Independent Trainer Certification, Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Advanced End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia, and specialist training in advanced dementia programmes.

What is the Positive Approach to Care®?

The Positive Approach to Care® is a proven, person-centred dementia care philosophy developed by Teepa Snow, focusing on practical strategies, compassion, and improved quality of life.

What is the SPECAL method?

The SPECAL method, from the Contented Dementia Trust, is an approach used by Dementia Training UK to help carers understand and manage dementia sympathetically by focusing on well-being and communication.

Why did you start Dementia Training UK?

Marion founded Dementia Training UK to share her knowledge and lived experience, supporting families and carers with practical, compassionate, and effective dementia training across the UK.

Do you still work directly with people living with dementia?

Yes, Marion continues to provide practical support and training in real environments, ensuring that all Dementia Training UK sessions remain grounded in real-life experience as a PAC certified dementia specialist.