Grace Armstrong on her new role as Trustee and Treasurer of Memory Lane Calderdale
For Grace Armstrong, Head of Chadwick Lawrence’s Court of Protection Department, supporting people affected by dementia has long been an important part of her professional life.
Through her work as a Court of Protection solicitor, Grace regularly supports individuals who have lost capacity through dementia, brain injury and other neurological conditions, as well as the families helping them navigate complex legal and financial decisions.
Now, Grace is taking that commitment further through her appointment as a Trustee and Treasurer of Memory Lane Calderdale, a local dementia charity supporting people living with dementia and their families across Calderdale.
We spoke to Grace about her new role, her connection to the charity and why supporting local dementia services is so important.
What inspired you to become a Trustee and Treasurer of Memory Lane Calderdale?
Throughout my career as a Court of Protection Solicitor, I have worked closely with individuals who lack capacity and with families facing extremely challenging circumstances. Dementia is a condition that affects not only the individual but also those around them, and I have seen first-hand the emotional, practical and financial impact it can have.
When the opportunity arose to become a Trustee and Treasurer of Memory Lane Calderdale, it felt like a natural extension of the work I already do. I wanted to use my professional skills and experience to support a charity that is making a real difference to people living with dementia and their families within the local community.
What does the opportunity mean to you personally?
Many people have personal experiences of dementia through family members, friends or colleagues. While my day-to-day work often involves helping families navigate legal and financial decisions, being a Trustee gives me the opportunity to contribute in a different way by supporting services that improve quality of life, reduce isolation and create positive experiences for people living with dementia.
Why was Memory Lane Calderdale the right charity for you?
My involvement with Memory Lane Calderdale feels like a natural progression from the work I have already been involved in across Calderdale to support families impacted by dementia.
Several years ago, I attended a Calderdale Dementia Friendly Community (CDFC) event and made a pledge on behalf of Chadwick Lawrence to take steps towards becoming a more dementia-friendly law firm. Through the hard work of colleagues across the firm, we were able to demonstrate that we had fulfilled that commitment and became the first organisation in Calderdale to achieve accreditation through the CDFC accreditation scheme.
Following that work, I was invited to join the Calderdale Dementia Friendly Community Steering Group, where I have had the opportunity to work alongside a number of passionate individuals, including Shabir Hussain and Chris Harvey. Through that role, I have seen first-hand the positive impact that local organisations and charities can have on the lives of people living with dementia and their families.
It was through those relationships that Shabir and Chris approached me about becoming Treasurer and a Trustee of Memory Lane Calderdale. As I was already aware of the charity’s excellent reputation and the support it provides across the local community, it was an opportunity I was very keen to explore.
Memory Lane Calderdale has an excellent reputation for providing practical support, meaningful activities and opportunities for social connection for people living with dementia and their loved ones. I was particularly attracted by the charity’s community-focused approach and its genuine commitment to improving quality of life for local people. Being able to contribute to that work and support the charity’s future development is something I am incredibly proud to do.
How does your role as Head of the Court of Protection Department connect with the work Memory Lane Calderdale does?
As Head of Chadwick Lawrence’s Court of Protection Department, I regularly support individuals who have lost capacity through dementia, brain injury and other neurological conditions. Much of our work involves helping families manage complex financial and legal matters while ensuring that the person’s wishes, feelings and best interests remain at the centre of decision-making.
Memory Lane Calderdale shares that same person-centred approach. Whilst our roles are very different, both are ultimately focused on supporting vulnerable individuals and helping families navigate difficult situations.
What similarities do you see between the challenges faced by your clients and the families supported by the charity?
The common theme is that families often find themselves navigating unfamiliar and overwhelming circumstances.
Whether it is a family coping with a loved one’s dementia diagnosis or managing the consequences of a life-changing brain injury, there are often concerns about care, finances, future planning and emotional wellbeing. Families frequently tell us that they feel isolated and unsure where to turn.
Having access to trusted support networks, whether through professional advisers or charities such as Memory Lane Calderdale, can make an enormous difference.
What are you most looking forward to contributing to the charity?
While I am looking forward to using my professional experience to support the charity’s governance and financial sustainability, what excites me most is the opportunity to get to know the people who use its services and to see first-hand the difference the charity makes within the local community.
Throughout my career, I have worked with many individuals and families affected by dementia, often at some of the most challenging points in their lives. As a Trustee, I am looking forward to supporting people in a different way, helping to create opportunities for connection, engagement and enjoyment, and contributing to services that make a positive difference to daily life.
I am also keen to build relationships with the charity’s service users, volunteers and supporters, and to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and what matters most to them. For me, the most rewarding part of the role will be knowing that I have played a small part in helping the charity continue to support people living with dementia and their families across Calderdale.
Why is it important to support local charities like Memory Lane Calderdale?
Local charities understand the needs of their communities and are often best placed to provide practical, responsive and accessible support.
Their work can have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of local people. Supporting charities such as Memory Lane Calderdale helps ensure that individuals living with dementia and their families have somewhere to turn for advice, support, friendship and social connection.
What impact does the charity have on people living with dementia and their families across Calderdale?
The charity provides much more than activities and events. It creates opportunities for people to remain connected with their communities, maintain social relationships and continue enjoying meaningful experiences.
For families and carers, it provides reassurance, support and the knowledge that they are not facing their challenges alone. That combination of practical and emotional support can be invaluable.
What do you think people may not realise about the support available to families affected by dementia?
Many people are unaware of the range of support that is available once they receive a diagnosis.
There are local charities, support groups, community organisations and professionals who can help with everything from emotional support and social activities to care planning and future decision-making. Unfortunately, many families only discover these resources much later than they would have liked.
One of the important roles charities play is helping people access support earlier and feel less isolated.
How does this appointment reflect Chadwick Lawrence’s commitment to supporting the local communities it works within?
At Chadwick Lawrence, supporting our local communities is part of who we are.
Our Court of Protection team has a particular passion for supporting people affected by dementia. We have an internal Dementia Committee, led by my colleague Susan Preece, which helps drive awareness and fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
We regularly raise funds for dementia charities through bake sales and other fundraising events. We also organise an annual gift drive for local dementia units and care homes, with staff donating gifts and handmade items such as twiddle muffs. Many of these are created by colleagues who attend knitting groups organised across our offices.
My appointment as Trustee reflects both my personal commitment and the firm’s wider commitment to supporting vulnerable people and the communities we serve.
What are you hoping to achieve during your time as Trustee?
One of the things that attracted me to Memory Lane Calderdale is that its work is centred around people and experiences. The charity provides opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to come together, build friendships, share experiences and enjoy activities that they may not otherwise have access to.
During my time as Trustee, I hope to play a part in ensuring that those opportunities continue to be available for as many people as possible. Whether that is through the dementia cafés, social activities, day trips or other events, I want to support the charity in creating enjoyable experiences that help people remain connected, engaged and valued within their community.
I am particularly passionate about helping to reduce the isolation that can often accompany a dementia diagnosis, both for the individual and for their loved ones. If my contribution as a Trustee helps even a small number of people make new friendships, enjoy new experiences or feel better supported on their dementia journey, I would consider that a worthwhile achievement.
Are there any upcoming projects, initiatives or goals at Memory Lane Calderdale that you’re particularly excited about?
As I am only just beginning my role as Trustee and Treasurer, I am looking forward to learning more about the charity’s future plans and getting to know the people who attend its activities and events.
What particularly excites me is the opportunity to help ensure the charity has the resources to continue providing and expanding the experiences it offers to people living with dementia and their carers. Whether that is through dementia cafés, social groups, day trips or other activities, these opportunities can make a real difference by bringing people together, reducing isolation and creating enjoyable experiences and lasting memories.
I am also pleased to see initiatives that encourage people to think about future planning following a dementia diagnosis. While support and social connection are incredibly important, helping people and their families feel informed and empowered to make plans for the future can also have a very positive impact.
Ultimately, I am excited to be part of a charity that focuses on helping people live well with dementia and creating opportunities that they may not otherwise have access to.
What would success look like for you in this role?
Success would mean knowing that I have helped the charity continue delivering its invaluable services, while supporting its growth and long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, if more people living with dementia, and more families affected by dementia, are able to access support, feel less isolated and enjoy a better quality of life as a result of the charity’s work, then I would consider that a success.
