Academic dementia researcher Dr Isabelle Latham has been appointed as researcher in residence by care provider Hallmark Care Homes.

Previously a senior lecturer at the Association for Dementia Studies and University of Worcester, Lantham started in the role, which is the first of its kind in the care sector, this month.

She will focus on research involving the care of people living with dementia and work closely with Hallmark’s 19 homes on ‘real-life’ ideas for research; she will also support the Hallmark teams to conduct and evaluate research projects and implement their findings.

Isabelle will retain her affiliation with the Association for Dementia Studies through an honorary post, creating a partnership between the university and Hallmark Care Homes.

“I am particularly passionate about frontline care for people living with dementia and very excited by the opportunity Hallmark have created,” commented Lantham. “The role of researcher in residence will enable me to inspire and further develop the skills of care workers, and work with them to make care homes enjoyable and fulfilling places to live and work through research and education.”

“It is an absolute privilege to welcome Isabelle to the team,” commented Hallmark Care Homes head of dementia care and wellbeing April Dobson. “Her skills and knowledge will enable us to develop an ongoing stream of relevant and usable evidence from research projects identified by care homes.  These can be used to further continuous improvement in good quality dementia care throughout the sector.  The model also provides us with scope to enhance relationship-centred care through the involvement of team members, residents and families in different ways.”

“This new post has been specifically created for Isabelle and it is a fabulous opportunity for her to apply her research findings and her enormous knowledge of what makes a difference to the lives of people living and working in care homes,” said University of Worcester’s Professor Dawn Brooker.

“Although we are sorry to lose Isabelle, she will continue to have strong connections with the University of Worcester, and we look forward to a great collaboration with Hallmark into the future.”