Dr Shirley Evans

Director of The Association for Dementia Studies

Association for Dementia Studies

Contact Details

Twitter @shirleyevans @MeetingCentres

Meeting Centres Blog

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/shirley-evans-a1068115

As Director of the Association for Dementia Studies, Shirley is responsible for the strategic leadership of ADS and driving momentum in terms of Research and Knowledge Exchange.

Shirley is the leading expert in the UK on Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia. Shirley has a specific interest and expertise in community-based interventions for people affected by dementia. She approaches this on a local, regional, national and international basis and as a researcher, implementer and leader, strategist and policy shaper.

The focus of Shirley’s work at the Association for Dementia Studies is leadership of the Meeting Centres UK network. A key goal of the lottery funded Meeting Centre project was to support organisations and individuals to set up 15 to 20 Meeting Centres for people with dementia and their families in their local community. Prior to the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, there were 13 Meeting Centres and there are currently over 60 funded with another 10 predicted by the end of the year.

She plays a key role in driving forward a number of initiatives in Herefordshire and Worcestershire to support people affected by dementia including Dementia Matters Here (fordshire) and Leominster Meeting Centre. She is Deputy Chair of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dementia Programme Board.

Shirley has a strong teaching and consultancy background in information and communications technology and a wealth of expertise in inclusive practice in education and technology

PhD Supervision

Director of Studies for Nathan Stephens: ‘The effectiveness of a novel strategic approach to scaling up the provision of Meeting Centres across Worcestershire.’ (match-funded by The Shaw Foundation). Nathan is investigating Social Return on Investment.

Director of Studies for Claire Bills: a qualitative study into ‘Experiences, needs, interventions and outcomes of family carers of persons with Dementia’. Claire is exploring carers of persons with Dementia within South Africa. Claire will investigate into the socio-economic implications that can have an impact on the access to Dementia Services.

Director of Studies for Jen Edgecombe: Investigating people affected by dementia in living together but apart relationships.

Co-supervisor for Annabel Ditton PhD student at the University of Exeter: investigating developing understandings of how an intervention for carers of people with dementia impacts on those with dementia.

Completed:

Dr Rebecca Oatley completed 2021 - From washing boots to motor racing champions: Exploring women’s experiences of sport reminiscence for people affected by dementia.

Dr Chris Russell completed 2020 - Because life’s there…understanding the experience and identity of people living with dementia in the context of leisure and fitness centres.

Qualifications

PhD (2009), E-Learning and Blindness: evaluating the quality of the learning experience to inform policy and practice, University of Birmingham, School of Education
M Ed (2002), Equality and Diversity, Open University
PGCE (1997), Secondary (Business and Economic), University of Worcester
BSc Hons 1^st (1997), Information Technology, Open University

Professional Bodies

Association for Learning Technology (ALT), Certified Member of ALT, Former Trustee and Honorary Secretary; Lead CMALT Assessor
Advance HE – Fellow (working towards Senior Fellowship)

Other

Leominster Meeting Centre – Trustee (Treasurer, Projects and Finance)
Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) - Chair
Herefordshire Dementia Action Alliance – Chair
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dementia Programme Board (Deputy Chair)

Research

Programme Manager for the Meeting Centres UK project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. This involves supporting organisations and individuals to set up 15 to 20 Meeting Centres for people with dementia and their families in their local community. A key aspect is developing a toolkit for Meeting Centres to collect their own data to support funding applications and aid self-evaluation. This project takes forward the experience and learning from the MeetingDem project as below.

Shirley was co-investigator on MeetingDem, project managing on a day to day basis across the UK partners and co-ordinating with the European partners; developing evaluation documentation; supporting implementation of the evaluation; writing reports, dissemination materials and preparing publications and investigating related opportunities.

Other linked projects to Meeting Centres and with which Shirley is involved are:-

Sustaining Locally-Driven Social Care For Those Affected By Dementia: A Realist Evaluation Of Successful Meeting Centres (Get Real with Meeting Centres) (2021 to 2022): Joint Principal Investigator from January 2022

Sustainable Community-based Interventions for people affected by dementia – a realist review (2018 to 2020): Co-applicant

In previous roles, Shirley initiated a portfolio of a wide range of projects both European and UK funded. These included projects relating to technology, inclusion and education and training packages for teachers and trainers with funding from Leonardo, Grundtvig and ESF, the Learning and Skills Council, Quality Improvement Agency, Becta and Jisc.

Grants and projects:

Evans, S., Williamson T., (Joint PIs), Crossing the Line: Providing personal care in the context of families affected by dementia, (2022-2024), National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) (20861). £254,141

Brooker., Evans, S.., Williamson, T., Hullah, N., Tinelli, M., Moreton, T., Frost, F., Wong, G., and Proctor, H., (2021-2023) Sustaining Locally-Driven Social Care For Those Affected By Dementia: A Realist Evaluation Of Successful Meeting Centres (Get Real with Meeting Centres). Research for Social Care (RfSC) Programme: NIHR (National institute of health Research 20861). £349,912

Evans, S.B., and Evans, S.C., Lord, N., Payne-Lunn, S., (2021-2022). Worcester Life Stories funded by Historic England. £19,000

Brooker, D., Evans, S.B., Watts, M., (2018-2022). UK Meeting Centres Support Programme. The National Lottery Community Fund. £587,601

Brooker D., Evans, S. B. (2018-2020) SCI-Dem Realist evaluation of sustainable community-based support for people and families affected by dementia. Alzheimer’s Society Grant. £150,000:

Brooker D., Evans S.C., Evans S.B. (2014-2017) MEETINGDEM: Adaptive implementation and Validation of the positively evaluated Meeting Centres Support Programme for people with dementia and their carers in Europe, EU JPND, 1.199.819 Euro

Publications and Conference Papers

Publications

Russell, C., Kohe, G.Z., Evans, S.B, and Brooker, D. (2022) Rethinking Spaces of Leisure: How People Living with Dementia Use the Opportunities Leisure Centres Provide to Promote their Identity and Place in the World, International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure. doi: 10.1007/s41978-022-00121-x

Gerritsen, D., Van der Roest, H., Evans, S., Leontjevas, R., Prins, M., Brooker, D., & Dröes, R. (2022). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Well-Being of People Living with Dementia. In M. Vandenbulcke, R. Dröes, & E. Schokkaert (Eds.), Dementia and Society (pp. 193-210). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108918954.011

Evans, S., Brooker, D., Bray, J., Stephens, N. (2022), The Essential Features of Meeting Centres: development of the UK criteria for community support for people affected by dementia. Working with Older People, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-03-2022-0009

Evans, S., Harrison, M., Morgan, N., Kilkenny, C. and Morton, T. (2022), "Community makers: report on developing an online toolkit for supporting people with dementia to connect during the pandemic and beyond", Working with Older People, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 140-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-01-2022-0002

Gerritsen, D., van der Roest, H., Evans, S.B., Leontjevas, R., Prins, M., Brooker, D. & Dröes, R.M (In Press expected 2022) Chapter 13: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of people living with dementia. In M. van den Bulcke and E. Schokkaert (Eds) Dementia & Society: Cambridge University Press

Evans, S., Bray, J. and Brooker, D. (2021), "How Meeting Centres continue to support people affected by dementia: report on UK COVID-19 impact", Working with Older People, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 283-293. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-12-2020-0060

Henderson, C., Rehill, A., Brooker, S., Evans, S.C., Evans, S.B., Bray, J., Saibene, F.L., Scorolli, C., Szcześniak, D., d’Arma, A., Urbanska, K., Atkinson, T., Farina, E., Rymaszewska, J., Chattat, R., Meiland, F.J.M., Dröes, R.M., Knapp, M. (2021), Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of the Meeting Centres Support Programme for People Living with Dementia in Italy, Poland and the UK: The MEETINGDEM Study. Health and Social care in the Community

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T & Evans, S.B. (2021) Keeping community groups and activities going - Sustainable Community Interventions for people affected by Dementia: Recommendations for practice from the SCI-Dem Project. University of Worcester ISBN 978-0-903607-33-9

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T. & Evans, S.B. (2021) Sustaining community groups and activities for people affected by dementia: Recommendations from the SCI-Dem Project for commissioners and policy-makers. University of Worcester ISBN 978-0-903607-34-6

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T. & Evans, S.B. (2021) Helping your community group or activity club to keep going strong: Suggestions for members of groups and clubs from the SCI-Dem Review. University of Worcester ISBN 978-0-903607-35-3

Dorota Szcześniak, Joanna Rymaszewska, Francesca Lea Saibene, Katarzyna Małgorzata Lion, Alessia D’arma, Dawn Brooker, Shirley B. Evans, Simon C. Evans, Rabih Chattat, Claudia Scorolli, Franka Meiland, Iris Hendriks, Rose-Marie Dröes & Elisabetta Farina (2021) Meeting centres support programme highly appreciated by people with dementia and carers: a European cross-country evaluation, Aging & Mental Health, 25:1, 149-159, DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1683814

Katarzyna Małgorzata Lion, Dorota Szcześniak, Katarzyna Bulińska, Justyna Mazurek, Shirley B. Evans, Simon C. Evans, Francesca Lea Saibene, Alessia d’Arma, Claudia Scorolli, Elisabetta Farina, Dawn Brooker, Rabih Chattat, Franka J. M. Meiland, Rose-Marie Dröes, Joanna Rymaszewska. (2021) Does the Meeting Centre Support Programme decrease the experience of stigmatisation among people with cognitive deficits?. Aging & Mental Health 25:1, pages 160-169.

Russell, C., Kohe, G.Z., Brooker, D. and Evans, S. (2020) ‘Sporting Identity, Memory, and People with Dementia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Potential for Oral History’, The International Journal of the History of Sport, 36(13-14), pp.1157-1179. doi: 10.1080/09523367.2019.1703690.

Urbanska, K., Szcześniak D, Evans,S…., et al (2019), Do people with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairments experience Stigma? A cross-cultural investigation between Italy, Poland and the UK, Aging and Mental Health (awaiting publication);

Evans, S., Brooker, D., Evans, S., et al, (2018), The impact of the implementation of the Dutch combined Meeting Centres Support Programme for family caregivers of people with dementia in Italy, Poland and UK, Aging and Mental Health, 6:1-11 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2018.1544207;

Brooker D, Evans S, Evans S, et al. Evaluation of the implementation of the Meeting Centres Support Program in Italy, Poland, and the UK; exploration of the effects on people with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018;33:883–892. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4865

Szcześniak, D., Dröes, R., Meiland, F., Brooker, D., Evans, S, B., et al (2018). Does the community-based combined Meeting Center Support Programme (MCSP) make the pathway to day-care activities easier for people living with dementia? A comparison before and after implementation of MCSP in three European countries. International Psychogeriatrics, 30(11), 1717-1734. doi:10.1017/S1041610217002885;

Brooker D, Evans S, Evans S, et al. (2018), Evaluation of the implementation of the Meeting Centres Support Program in Italy, Poland, and the UK; exploration of the effects on people with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018;33:883–892. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4865

Evans, S.B., Evans, S.C., Bray, J., (2017), The iPad project: Introducing iPads into care homes in the UK to support digital inclusion Journal of Gerontechnology (under review);

Meiland, F., Innes, A., Mountain, G., Robinson, R., van der Roest, H., Antonio, J., Gove, D., Thyrian, R., Evans, S., Dröes, R.M., Franco-Martín, M., (2017), Technologies to support community-dwelling persons with dementia: an INTERDEM position paper on issues regarding development, usability, (cost)effectiveness, implementation and ethics under review Journal of Medical Internet Research [online] http://rehab.jmir.org/

Brooker, D., Droes, R. M., Evans, S., (2016), Framing outcomes of post-diagnostic psychosocial interventions in dementia: The Adaptation-Coping Model and Adjusting to Change. Working with Older People. Vol 21: Issue 1

Brooker, D., Droes, RM., Evans S., (2015), Facilitators and barriers to opening a Meeting Centre for people with dementia and their carers in the United Kingdom. the UK Dementia Congress, Telford, November 2015

Evans, S., (2015), CMALT: recent trends in learning technology specialisms and CPD opportunities. Conference paper presented at ALT-C, Manchester, 2015

Minocha, S., McNulty, C., Evans, S., (2015) Imparting digital skills to people aged 55 years and over in the UK, [online] http://oro.open.ac.uk/44009/, (last accessed 19th October 2015) Open University Milton Keynes, UK

Evans, S., Evans S., Bray, J., (2015), How iPads can support people with dementia living in care homes [online] http://www.anchor.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/study-reveals-ipads-have-substantial-potential-improve-quality-life (last accessed 19th October 2015

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2015), Meeting Centres: an innovative way of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia and their families through an evidence-based, person-centred approach. Conference paper presented at the British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, July 2015

Evans, S., and Minocha, S., E-learning and over 65s: designing for accessibility and digital inclusion , (2013), Conference paper to be presented at 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA, (accepted for presentation in March 2014).

Evans, S., (2013), Enable – a European Network on ICT to Support Lifelong Learning by Disabled Students. Conference paper to be presented at 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA, (accepted for presentation in March 2014).

Evans, S., Hersh S., and Ball, S., (2013), Enable Network on ICT to Support Lifelong Learning by Disabled Students. Abstract in: ALT-C 2013 Building New Cultures of Learning, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., and Minocha, S., (2013), Accessibility, usability and safety of online environments: the implications for designing e-learning for older people. Abstract in: ALT-C 2013 A confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Ball, S., Evans, S., and Loftfield, A., (2013) Discover Jisc: Promoting Inclusive
Learning and Teaching in the Further Education and Skills Sector. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Evans, S., and Featherstone, L., (2013), In-Folio: an easy to use e-portfolio for learners with learning difficulties or disabilities. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Evans, S., and Loftfield, A., (2013), The Jisc TechDis Toolbox and Voices and the SBRI Assistive Technology Competitions. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Hartnett, E., Minocha, S., Palmer, J., Petre, M., Evans, S., Middup, C. P., Dunn, K., Murphy, B., Heap, T., and Dave Roberts (2013). Older People and Online Social Interactions: An Empirical Investigation. In the proceedings of 18th UKAIS Conference on Information Systems.

Minocha, S., Hartnett, E., Dunn, K., Evans, S., Heap, T., Middup, C. P., Murphy, B., and Roberts, D., (2013) Conducting Empirical Research with Older People. In the proceedings of HCI 2013, 27th April 2013, Paris, France.

Evans, S., and Ball, S., (2012), Accessibility Maturity of TEL in UK HE: JISC TechDis lifts the lid on a decade of progress. In proceedings of: 7th International Blended Learning Conference, University of Hertfordshire.

Evans, S., McNaught, A., (2012), JISC TechDis Voices for learners - bringing synthetic speech to the mainstream. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., Featherstone, L., (2012), JISC TechDis Toolbox - digital resources to enhance employability skills for disabled students. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., Taylor, J., Berkley, V., Wilder, B., Featherstone, L., (2012), E-Safety and Vulnerable Learners: a cross-sectoral approach to developing resources. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., (2011), Evaluating a Higher Education Inclusive Practice and Learning Scheme in the UK. Abstract presented at 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA.

Evans, S., (2011), In-Folio: an accessible e-portfolio for students with disabilities. Abstract presented at 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA.

McNaught, A., Evans, S., and Ball, S., (2010), E-Books and Inclusion: Dream Come True or Nightmare. In proceedings of: Computers Helping People with Special Needs, 12th International Conference, ICCHP 2010, Vienna, Austria, July 14-16, 2010. Proceedings, Part I

Evans, S (2009), E-learning and Blindness: evaluating the quality of the learning experience to inform policy and practice. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/321/ (last accessed 1st March 2014) Ph.D. thesis, University of Birmingham.

Evans, S., and Douglas, G., (2008). E-Learning and Blindness: A Comparative Study of the Quality of an E-Learning Experience. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. 102, 2, pp. 77-88

Sales, A., Evans, S., Musgrove, N., and Homfray, R., (2006), Full-screen magnification on a budget: Using a hardware-based multi-display graphics card as a screen-magnifier, British Journal of Visual Impairment, September; vol. 24, 3: pp. 135-140

Evans, S., (2002), Using a Virtual Learning Environment to deliver transitional skills at the Royal National College for the Blind. British Journal of Visual Impairment, September 2002; vol. 20, 3: pp. 101-104

Seminars

The Institute of Government and Public Policy (2022), April 2022: Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia and the impact of COVID-19

Alzheimer’s Disease International (2022), Global Conference June 2022: Meeting Centres: regional approaches to community-based support for people affected by dementia

Alzheimer’s Europe (2021), How Meeting Centres have continued to support people affected by dementia and flourish in the UK despite the pandemic (online)

Alzheimer’s Europe (2020), How can Meeting Centres support people affected by dementia to adjust to change during a period of physical distancing? (online)

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March 2020), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Peebles, UK (online)

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (February 2020), Worcestershire Meeting Centres Community Support Scheme. Worcester, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (December 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Wales Cross Party, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (November 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. London, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (November 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Doncaster, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Leeds, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Manchester, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Belfast, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Dagenham, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (Sept, 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Wrexham, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (May, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Bury Port, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (April, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. London, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Hereford, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Brecon Theatre Wales, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (February, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Northampton University, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S. B. & Watts, M (January, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Worcester University, UK

Conference papers

Evans, S., and Brooker., (2020), How Meeting Centres adapted to COVID-19: strategies and impact, UK Dementia Congress (online).

Evans S., and Brooker, D., (2020), How can Meeting Centres support people affected by dementia to adjust to change during a period of physical distancing? Alzheimer’s Europe (online) https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Conferences/Previous-conferences/2020-Online

Evans S., and Galloway, G., (2020), What if they forget who we are?

Adapting the Meeting Centre Support Programme during lockdown and physical distancing,

Hammond Conference (online)

Evans, S., and Brooker, D.,(2019) The Meeting Centre Support Programme: Scaling up across the UK (UK MCSP) Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Doncaster

Evans, S., and Brooker, D.,(2018) The Meeting Centre Support Programme: Scaling up across the UK (UK MCSP) Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Brighton;

Evans, S., (2017) Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Meeting Centres Support Programme for people living with dementia and their carers in Italy, Poland and the UK. Conference presentation at the Alzheimer Europe conference, Berlin;

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2017) The implementation and evaluation of the Meeting Centre Support Programme in the UK, Italy and Poland. Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Doncaster;

Brooker, D., Droes, RM., Evans S., (2015), Facilitators and barriers to opening a Meeting Centre for people with dementia and their carers in the United Kingdom. Conference paper to be presented at the UK Dementia Congress, Telford, November 2015;

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2015), Meeting Centres: an innovative way of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia and their families through an evidence-based, person-centred approach. Conference paper presented at the British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, July 2015.

External Responsibilities

Trustee (Treasurer - Projects and Finance) of Leominster Meeting Centre for people affected by dementia and carers.

Chair of Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) - supporting dementia-friendly communities in Herefordshire and helping to reduce stigma.

Chair of Herefordshire Dementia Action Alliance - aims to ensure that people affected by dementia feel a valued part of family, community and civic life.

Co-founder and Secretary of Dementia Friendly Leominster which is a coalition of organisations and individuals who are committed to enabling people to live well with dementia in their community.