Dedicated professionals driving excellence in dementia care.

About Us

A team united by purpose: improving dementia care, together.

At NaDCAS, we’re united by a shared commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia. Our team brings together experience from across sectors, working collaboratively to raise standards, celebrate excellence, and support care homes on their journey towards truly exceptional care. We combine professional expertise with genuine compassion, working closely with care providers to help them create environments where every person is understood, valued, and supported to live well.

Meet Our Team

  • Sam Dondi-Smith

    Sam Dondi-Smith

    Senior Partner

    Sam is a recognised expert in occupational therapy and dementia care, dedicated to enhancing the lives of people living with dementia. As an author and thought leader, he works alongside care teams to inspire best practice, champion person-centred support, and drive excellence through NaDCAS.

  • Claire Reading

    Claire Reading

    Director of Partnerships & Operations

    Claire is an expert in partnership development and strategic collaboration, leading initiatives that bring together innovators, care providers, and sector leaders to enhance the quality of dementia care across the UK. Claire is passionate about improving the lives of people living with dementia through meaningful collaboration.

  • Virginia Irvine

    Quality Assurance Lead

    Virginia is a specialist quality improvement leader with 10+ years of experience in dementia care leadership and management. She has a proven track record of delivering on complex projects, and enabling teams to meet regulatory and business objectives in residential and nursing care homes.

  • Helayna Reading

    Marketing Lead

    Helayna is passionate about raising awareness of best practice in dementia care and building meaningful engagement with care providers. She combines creativity with a commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia to showcase how our framework is transforming standards across the sector.

  • Emma Hewat

    Case Manager

    With over 20 years’ experience as a dementia specialist, Emma has built a career grounded in driving sustainable improvement in care services, leading national dementia strategies and training programmes. Her work focuses on embedding evidence-based care that transforms culture and improves lives.

  • Kate Thubron

    Case Manager

    An award-winning dementia specialist, Kate has worked in the NHS and care home sector, leading dementia care across 37 homes, and now delivers consultancy and training. Kate is passionate about strengthening support for care home teams to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

  • Nikki Ayliff

    Nikki Ayliff

    Case Manager

    Nikki has over 35 years of experience in social care, leading teams across residential, dementia, and nursing care settings. She is deeply passionate about ensuring people living with dementia receive compassionate, person-centred support that enhances quality of life.

  • Patricia Brown

    Case Manager

    Patricia is a registered mental health nurse and Admiral Nurse with a distinguished career in dementia care, clinical leadership, and safeguarding. She holds two master’s degrees in dementia care and brings both expertise and insight to her work, championing evidence-based practice and person-centred care.

  • Victoria Shackley

    Case Manager

    With over 20 years of experience, Victoria has led and managed a wide range of dementia care services, gaining a holistic perspective on how best to support people living with dementia. Her leadership has focused on cultivating cultures of respect and ensuring the highest standards of care for people with dementia.

  • Tanya Moffett

    Case Manager

    Tanya is dual-qualified in Mental Health and Adult Nursing with 40+ years’ experience in adult care. As a former CQC inspector and current Nominated Individual for two care homes, she is passionate about empowering people living with dementia through independence, compassion, connection and, humour.

  • Kay Steven

    Case Manager

    Kay is an experienced Health and Social Care Leader with expertise in dementia care and coaching care teams. She is passionate about partnering with care home teams to develop practices and create nurturing, homely environments to enhance the wellbeing of people living with dementia and carers.

  • Jane Nickels

    Case Manager

    Jane is a Specialist Nurse Consultant with over 20 years’ experience in dementia care and supporting people with other complex needs. Jane is passionate about ensuring every individual, no matter their diagnosis, is heard, understood, respected, and treated with dignity and compassion.