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Do you want to make a lasting impact on the lives of 850,000 people living with Dementia in the UK? Do you want the chance to win £100,000 by developing a solution to support this growing challenge?

These are not opening lines that you would naturally associate with the work of a Local Authority but Essex County Council see things quite differently.

On the 19th January 2018 Essex County Council is launching Challenge Dementia, the second in a series of Challenge Prizes developed to identify solutions to some of the most complex problems facing its residents.

Challenge Dementia is a nationwide search for innovative and creative ideas that can support people to live well with Dementia. The prize team, supported by the Centre for Challenge Prizes at Nesta, are particularly interested in engaging the ‘Unusual Suspects’ and encouraging people to apply who can view the problem through a different lens.

‘You might be a tech expert; a community activist; a designer; architect; or something else entirely’

Individuals living with Dementia find it difficult to remain connected to the people and places around them. This leaves them feeling alone and frustrated, unable to do the things they once enjoyed and losing their sense of identity. Challenge Dementia is a real opportunity to do something different, to create new and innovative ideas to enable people living with Dementia to live a purposeful life for as long as possible.

The Challenge Dementia prize is looking for ideas with potential at this stage. They might include an easy to use service that keeps people connected to their family or friends; a programme that helps and encourages people to keep in contact with the places they love from walking outdoors to enjoying a pint at their local pub; or even a digital solution that helps people connect with their community according to their likes.

Up to ten shortlisted finalists will be given the opportunity to work with a range of sector leaders including Business Mentors from techUK as well as PA Consulting, Alzheimer’s Society and the University of Essex.

In addition to the non-financial support, finalists will receive a micro-grant of £5,000 each to develop and test their idea with people living with Dementia over a five month period before presenting their Business Case in a Dragon’s Den style pitch to a panel of national judges that includes the voice of people living with Dementia. The panel will decide who receives the £100,000 prize with the announcement to be made at Awards Evening in London in December.

The prize closes to entries on the 13th April. To find out more visit the website.

Not thinking of entering? Then perhaps you’d think about being one of the techUK Business Mentors. Could you share your experience and knowledge to support emerging ideas? Keep a look out for more details to follow.

Notes

• Challenge Dementia opens to entries 19th January 2018 as part of Essex Dementia Day
• Following the closing date on the 13th April applications will be judged by the panel against pre-determined judging criteria set out on the website
• Full Terms and Conditions are set out on the website
• For all enquires please contact Nicole North or Benjamin Mann at essex.challengeprize@essex.gov.uk