Five new programmes set to transform dementia education

It’s been a year of momentum for the Dementia Learning Centre, with exciting work underway to explore how education can make a deeper, more lasting impact across the sector.

Behind the scenes, the team has been developing five new programmes designed to strengthen practice, inspire change, and support innovation in dementia care across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Developed in response to key sector challenges, each programme combines relevant content with creative delivery methods to strengthen engagement and practice.

• CarePlay
  A high-impact learning tool that brings training to life through interactive practice.
• Creating Compassionate Dementia Care Across Cultures
  An eLearning programme designed to support migrant staff in delivering culturally responsive care.
• Learning by Doing
  A tailored service to help providers reduce incidences of distress and embed positive approaches.
• Dementia Environment
  A design and development programme that brings together research and practice to improve dementia-friendly spaces.
• Train the Trainer
  A capacity-building programme empowering practice development leads to extend learning within their organisations.

To help you get the most from these new initiatives, we’re hosting a series of webinars called Lunch & Learn Series 2025.

These webinars are a chance to share this work with you, from gamified learning and new eLearning programmes to research insights, dementia design standards, and practice development.

Each session offers practical ideas and opportunities to connect, learn, and take part.

Come along to one session or join the whole series. Each topic stands alone but together they build a picture of the innovation and change we’ve been working on.

Check the links for the full set of events and be part of the conversation:

• Creating Compassionate Care Across Cultures – Mon 20 Oct Register here
• Workforce Development in Aged Care – Tue 28 Oct Register here
• Positive Approaches to Reducing Distress – Mon 10 Nov Register here
• CarePlay – Fri 17 Nov Register here
• Organisational Learning in Dementia Care – Tue 26 Nov Register here
• Dementia Design Development Programme – Mon 8 Dec Register here
• Train the Trainer – Mon 15 Dec Register here

We encourage you to register for the webinars, share them with colleagues, and stay connected as we build new pathways for learning and practice.