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This is the third in our series of case studies showcasing how VCFSE organisations are helping to shape neighbourhood health across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Dementia Friendly Netherton demonstrates how primary care, public health and the VCFSE sector can work together at place to address health inequalities. By combining clinical data, community insight and coordinated action, partners have developed a local approach to improving dementia awareness, diagnosis and support.
This case study is part of a series from the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme, showcasing how VCFSE organisations are supporting neighbourhood health through strong partnerships with Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and wider health and care systems. The series highlights the sector’s role in improving outcomes, reducing inequalities and supporting people earlier through trusted, community based approaches.
In Netherton, it did.
Dementia Friendly Netherton brings together primary care, public health and VCFSE organisations to tackle a clear local health inequality: dementia was significantly under diagnosed in South Sefton.
The project combines shared data with community insight, storytelling and local partnerships to create resources and support that reflect the realities of people living and working in Netherton.
Developed through the ReCITE programme, the project is now recognised as a model of collaborative practice across South Sefton.
The infographic below provides a snapshot of the challenge, approach and activity behind Dementia Friendly Netherton. For the full story, read on.
The starting point was clear clinical evidence that dementia was under diagnosed in South Sefton.
40% of adults estimated to have dementia in South Sefton remained undiagnosed, compared with 24% in North Sefton and 34% nationally. South Sefton had the lowest dementia diagnosis rate across Cheshire and Merseyside.
GP practice data also showed wide variation in annual dementia care plan reviews, ranging from 35% in some practices to more than 80% in others. Memory clinic data highlighted further issues, including coding inconsistencies, variable referral screening, incomplete referrals and high rejection rates.
Together, these findings pointed to a structural challenge requiring coordinated action across primary care, community organisations and specialist services.
Clinical data was complemented by insight from local residents.
The Community Innovation Team gathered views from 142 residents, with discussions taking place at L30 Community Centre and Netherton Feelgood Factory, alongside engagement with people who live and work in Netherton.
The findings highlighted several barriers:
This combination of clinical data and community insight provided the foundation for a place based intervention.
The project began as a partnership between Sefton CVS, South Sefton PCN and Sefton Public Health.
As the work developed, the Community Innovation Team expanded to bring together a wider group of partners, including:
Each brought a different perspective, from clinical leadership and specialist dementia knowledge to community engagement, creative storytelling and lived experience.
The partnership also strengthened relationships across the local system. GP teams developed a clearer understanding of community support available locally, while VCFSE organisations gained direct access to clinical leaders. The Memory Service also worked more closely with PCN practices to improve referral quality and consistency.
The ReCITE approach enabled residents, carers and professionals to share their experiences of dementia alongside the clinical data.
Storytelling helped partners identify barriers, clarify misconceptions and ensure that the intervention reflected local experiences.
One of the outputs was the Dementia Monologue, developed with Liverpool actress Eithne Brown. The resource provides an accessible narrative about the later stages of dementia and supports conversations around planning, care and support.
The Community Innovation Team co developed a hyper local Dementia Journey Map, inspired by the canal that runs through Netherton.
Using a familiar local landmark, the map guides residents through the different stages of dementia and shows how clinical and community support connects at each point.
From December 2025 to April 2026, Dementia Friendly Netherton was delivered through a range of local activities, including:
Together, these activities increased visibility, strengthened local conversations and improved understanding of dementia pathways.
The work is designed to continue beyond the initial campaign.
The Dementia Friendly Netherton webpage now brings together the creative assets, films and resources developed through the project, providing a permanent and accessible hub for residents, clinicians and community organisations.
The next phase will focus on measuring the impact of the work, including:
This monitoring will help demonstrate whether place based collaboration can shift outcomes in an area where dementia has historically been under diagnosed.
Dementia Friendly Netherton shows what can be achieved when primary care, public health and the VCFSE sector work together around a shared local challenge.
By combining clinical data, community insight and coordinated action, the partnership has created an approach that connects residents to clearer information, earlier conversations and support throughout the dementia journey.
It demonstrates the value of working at place: bringing together the organisations, knowledge and relationships already rooted in a community to tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes.
This case study is just one example of how community led approaches can improve health and wellbeing. Explore our health creation work to learn more about the people, partnerships and programmes helping to create healthier communities across Cheshire and Merseyside.
