DEEP began as a one year project in 2011. The aim was to find out how many ‘involvement groups’ of people with dementia there were in the UK. We also wanted to know how the groups worked. At the end of the project we had counted 17 involvement groups and activities. This project was managed by Mental Health Foundation, and supported by Innovations in Dementia. It was funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation. You can read a report about the project by clicking here. A film was also made with people with dementia. In the film, people talk about the importance for them of being able to connect with each other.
From 2012-2015, the DEEP network started to take shape, hosted by Innovations in Dementia. Groups were supported to be in touch with each other – to share ideas and good ways of working. A national user movement of people with dementia was being built. By the end of 2015, there were 50 DEEP groups.
This phase of DEEP was funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation (and Comic Relief from 2013). You can read a report about this period of DEEP by clicking here.
Until 2019 DEEP was funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Life Changes Trust and Comic Relief. You can read a report about this period of DEEP by clicking here.
DEEP was funded up to the end of 2023 by The National Lottery.
DEEP continues to be hosted by Innovations in Dementia
There are now around 80 DEEP groups across the UK , who are all doing amazing work. Read more by visiting DEEP News
DEEP 10th anniversary films
