Foreword from Nikki Fishman Co-Chair.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it seems only fitting to also celebrate and acknowledge the enormous contribution to dementia awareness made by our respected Honorary President Angela Clayton-Turner. Appearing below is a tribute to just some of her distinguished work in this vital field. We hope you enjoy it.
For over seven decades, Angela’s life has been defined by community service, professional excellence, and tireless advocacy — from her beginnings as a young Red Cross Cadet in the 1950s to her work in dementia awareness and research today.
Early Years with the British Red Cross
Angela’s journey of service began in 1950, when she volunteered as a Red Cross Cadet. Six years later, she became a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member, continuing her dedication to humanitarian work.
In 1957, Angela was one of only three girls and three boys chosen to represent Britain at a global Junior Red Cross Convention. Later that year, she was also invited to visit both the League of Red Cross Societies and the International Red Cross Headquarters in Geneva — an early sign of her lifelong commitment to international humanitarian values.
By 1958, Angela had joined the National Hospital Service Reserve, volunteering for shifts at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Between 1956 and 1966, she also served as a Cadet Officer for the British Red Cross in Knowle, Harrow, and Berkhamsted, nurturing the next generation of volunteers.
Community Engagement and Leadership in Bromley
After moving to Bromley in 1970, Angela’s community involvement expanded across a wide range of causes — often serving in leadership roles.
She was Honorary Secretary of the Bromley Multiple Sclerosis Society for seven years and a member of Bromley’s first Lay Visitors Team, which visited police detainees under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). She chaired the team in her final year.
For around 12 years, Angela served on the Bromley Research Ethics Committee, ensuring high ethical standards in health research. She also contributed nationally as Treasurer and later Membership Secretary for the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Management. In retirement, she was chosen for a two-year term as the Honorary President of AGILE, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s clinical interest group for professionals working with older people.
In 1999, Angela’s outstanding service was recognised when she and her husband were invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, nominated by the Community Health South London NHS Human Resources Department.
Angela also played active roles in local health and social care governance — as a Member of Bromley’s PPI Forum, a Governor for Oxleas NHS Trust, and Vice Chair of the Bromley Mental Health Forum, where she represented the Forum on the Council’s Adult Services Scrutiny Committee.
Advancing Care and Understanding of Dementia
Angela’s connection with dementia care began in 1975, when she was asked to establish a physiotherapy service at Cane Hill Hospital, a large psychiatric institution. When she was a student, dementia was not covered in training, prompting Angela to attend nurses’ lectures to expand her knowledge.
In 1984, she took on a pioneering new post combining clinical physiotherapy and management within Professor Elaine Murphy’s Community Mental Health Team (CTMHE) for Older Adults — the first of its kind in the country. Over the next 15 years, she maintained dementia as her specialist focus and contributed to professional education, writing the “Mental Health” chapter in the textbook Physiotherapy in the Community. Angela also presented on physiotherapy and dementia nationally.
Personal Advocacy and Partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society
When her husband Ted was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 57, Angela transformed her personal experience into advocacy. The couple joined the Alzheimer’s Society (AS) in 2000, becoming research volunteers. Ted became the first person with dementia to join the group. Later Angela presented about this award winning scheme at the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Vienna.
Angela produced An Information Handbook for Younger People with Dementia in Bromley — a valuable resource before online information became widely available. She also joined the Alzheimer Europe working party that published The Ethics of Dementia Research.
Their story has since inspired many, featuring in fundraising appeals and media coverage. Angela became a media volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society, appearing on French TV, BBC, BBC Breakfast, ITV, Channel 4, Sky News, and radio programmes including Radio 5 Live and The Today Programme.
She also helped to promote the new Dementia Friend movement with a 2-page article in “Yours” magazine.
Her advocacy even led to real-world change: after raising awareness about “dementia-friendly toilets,” Sainsbury’s introduced “Way Out” signs in store facilities — a campaign covered by national newspapers including the Daily Telegraph, Metro and LADbible!
National Leadership and Recognition
Angela represented carers on David Cameron’s “Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities” Challenge Group, which launched the Dementia Friends movement. She supported the Alzheimer’s Society ‘s CEO Dementia Friends sessions for Nick Clegg, then Deputy Prime Minister, and attended 10 Downing Street for a celebration marking the group’s (and others) achievements.
She spoke internationally on “The Personal Aspects of Brain Donation” at the global Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference in Thessaloniki.
Angela also co-authored the article “Dementia Friendly Toilets” in The Lancet.
In 2011 Angela was one of the 10 William Brooks Award winners. She was chosen for being “one of the most reliable and dedicated volunteers in the Alzheimer’s Society Research Network and giving her time to the Alzheimer’s Society Nominations Committee, fundraising and media activities. She rarely says “no” and approaches her various activities with diligence, humility and always with a smile on her face”. The presentation day took place at the Royal Society and at Buckingham Palace, Princess Alexandra and Sir Michael Parkinson made the presentation of an engraved glass plaque and a certificate.
Building a Dementia-Friendly Bromley
Angela co-founded the Bromley Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) with Jonathan Crisp and the local Alzheimer’s Society manager, using her deep community ties to form Bromley’s first dementia-friendly committee. By 2019 the BDAA had created over 60 local dementia-friendly organisations, raising awareness among staff, and advising on accessible premises.
Her leadership helped make The Glades one of the first dementia-friendly shopping centres, and she supported Bromley Fire Service and Police in becoming dementia-aware organisations.
Angela later became Honorary President and Treasurer of the Bromley Dementia Friendly Community (BDFC), ensuring the initiative continued after the pandemic.
A Legacy of Compassion and Impact
From her early Red Cross service to her groundbreaking work in dementia advocacy, Angela’s contributions have spanned healthcare, ethics, and community leadership, a testament to how one person’s commitment can truly change lives.