People living with dementia shape national priorities for technology and independence

More than 300 people living with dementia and paid and unpaid carers have helped establish national priorities for technologies designed to enhance independence.

Their experiences and perspectives have informed five Grand Challenges that will guide research and innovation supported by CONSOLIDATE, a national network exploring how technologies can support independence in people living with dementia.

Led by Heriot-Watt University, the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland, CONSOLIDATE invited people across Scotland to share their experiences of living with dementia, the technologies they currently use to support everyday activities and the needs they believe future technologies should address.

In-person and online workshops and interviews were held in communities from Shetland to the Scottish Borders, complemented by a national survey.

The findings have been published in the report Lived Experience Shaping Priorities For Action, which details how the contributions of more than 300 people shaped CONSOLIDATE’s priorities.

The five Grand Challenges identified through the engagement are:

• Independence at home, including support for daily routines, safety and autonomy
• Mobility, travel and getting out, recognising the importance of safe and confident mobility and access to community life
• Dementia-inclusive technology, designed to be simple, stable, intuitive and trusted
• Social connection and reducing isolation, supporting people to maintain relationships, belonging and identity
• Supporting carers sustainably, including reducing the emotional, physical, financial and cognitive load experienced by carers

The report was launched during a special webinar hosted by CONSOLIDATE Network Manager Dr Nikita Daga and Rachel McLauchlan, Influencing and Engagement Officer at Age Scotland. They were joined by Karen Taylor, representing CONSOLIDATE’s lived experience panel.

Professor Alan Gow, Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University and Co-Lead of CONSOLIDATE, said the engagement had established a strong foundation for the network’s next phase.

“We were delighted to release our lived experience report, and we are extremely grateful to the people and organisations who supported that, ensuring it was shaped by the voices of over 300 people.

“By giving time to this listening phase, we have been able to achieve a breadth and depth of input that sets a strong foundation for the studies we now seek to support.

“People living with dementia spoke clearly about where they see technology having a role in enhancing or supporting their independence. They have set important challenges to be addressed by researchers and innovators working alongside people with lived experience.”

Funding available for feasibility studies

Alongside the report, CONSOLIDATE has launched a new funding call for feasibility studies addressing one or more of the Grand Challenges.

Multidisciplinary teams bringing together researchers, industry, community and third-sector partners and people with lived experience are invited to apply for awards of between £50,000 and £100,000.

The studies should explore innovative and integrated approaches to supporting independence in people living with dementia. They may be used to investigate new ideas, generate proof-of-concept evidence or inform future development, funding and deployment.

Funding is available to applicants based at eligible UK institutions who meet Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council eligibility requirements. Applicants must also be members of the CONSOLIDATE network.

Applications will be considered through a two-stage process, beginning with an Expression of Interest. Eligible proposals that meet the call criteria will then be invited to submit a full application.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 10am UK time on 7 September 2026. Supported studies are expected to begin in January 2027 and must be completed by 31 December 2027.

Applicants are encouraged to read the Lived experience shaping priorities for action report and the full funding call guidance before preparing their proposal.

Further information about the funding call, eligibility and application process is available on the CONSOLIDATE website. Researchers and organisations can also register to join the network.

Questions about CONSOLIDATE or the funding call can be sent to dementia@hw.ac.uk.

CONSOLIDATE NetworkPlus is led by Heriot-Watt University, the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland. Its partners include Alzheimer Scotland, Meeting Centres Scotland, Carers Scotland, Community Renewal Trust, Edinburgh College, Life Sciences Scotland, NHS Borders, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and NHS Shetland. The network is jointly funded by Alzheimer’s Society, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.