Harriet reflects on how connection often shows up in quiet, unexpected ways, like a chance meeting or a shared story on a bench. She’s joined by Anna, Carl Case, Peter Berry & Deb Bunt, and Lovemore Munowenyu, each offering their take on belonging, dignity, and human connection. From building cultural bridges with a suitcase of memories to laughing in the face of dementia, their stories show how presence matters most. Gordon Malcolm wraps up with simple ways to create picnic spaces that feel safe, familiar, and kind.

The D Tour Snack Size is proudly sponsored by Right At Home

Right at Home, is committed to helping people live independently and happily in their own homes and communities - making them the ideal partner for this celebration of nature, community, and connection.

From singing on the trail to sharing playlists, Harriet explores how music brings comfort, confidence, and connection.

She meets Tony Christie, who shares how performing still brings him joy after a dementia diagnosis. 

Anne McKiernan tells a powerful story of music reaching someone who hadn’t spoken in weeks.

And Michael Timmons from Playlist for Life explains the science behind personalised playlists. 

Gordon Malcolm concludes with suggestions for incorporating music into your next outdoor gathering.

Right At Home

Ruth Thompson and Manpreet Gill explain how movement affects the brain and why spending time outside is beneficial. 

Debbie North shares her story of embracing the outdoors again with all-terrain wheelchairs.

And Gordon Malcolm gives tips on how to gently build movement into any picnic day, whether that’s a short stroll, a seated stretch, or simply reaching to smell a flower.

The D Tour Snack Size is proudly sponsored by Right At Home

Right at Home, is committed to helping people live independently and happily in their own homes and communities - making them the ideal partner for this celebration of nature, community, and connection.

From trail flapjacks to a proper cup of tea, food meant comfort, connection, and care on Harriet’s journey.

She’s joined by Sue Hinds, who discusses food as a form of dignity in dementia care; Adam Purnell, who shares the sensory magic of cooking over a fire; and Kate Taylor, who offers practical tips for brain-friendly nutrition. 

Gordon Malcolm from Dementia Adventure concludes with thoughtful advice on making picnics feel familiar, joyful, and unhurried.

Right At Home

In this episode Harriet reflects on how the outdoors speaks through sound, scent, and touch, from the rustle of leaves to the smell of wild chamomile.

She’s joined by Pix Ashworth from Land & Water, who shares how scent directly connects to memory, and Gordon Malcolm from Dementia Adventure offers practical suggestions for incorporating sensory joy into any picnic, such as creating herb and flower tables.

The D Tour Snack Size is proudly sponsored by Right At Home

Right at Home, is committed to helping people live independently and happily in their own homes and communities - making them the ideal partner for this celebration of nature, community, and connection.

We look at the complexities of dementia, as well as how highlighting the importance of wellbeing and the support systems available.

This episode is sponsored by MedicAlert UK

Harriet is still fundraising, so if you'd like to support her, you can text DA5 to 70711 to donate five pounds or visit her page at Dtour.uk

If today's episode has inspired you, we'd love you to connect with us at Dementia Adventure. Visit dementiaadventure.org to learn more about our work, find information on our carer support sessions and explore the supported breaks we offer.

There are many ways to get involved, and we'd love to be part of your journey.

Her D Tour for Dementia Adventure has taken Harriet through England, parts of Wales and now the very tip of the North East of mainland Scotland.

This week she's reflecting on that journey, the people she met, the friends she's made and the recurring themes of the past 90 days.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

She's dealing with busy roads and a storm as well as crumbling cliff edges. And this has got her to thinking how dementia really is one of life's ultimate challenges.

You'll hear from dementia campaigner Nancy McAdam and her daughter Fiona about how they've adapted since Nancy was diagnosed over 20 years ago.

But support is out there as Harriet discovers with Wendy Simmons from Connecting Communities and Christina Collison who set up digital resource Dementia Help

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Harriet spends a day with Dementia Adventure founders Neil Mapes and Lucy Harding who share why they set up the charity as well as the positive impact of maintaining relationships and creating supportive networks. 

We also hear from Dementia Carers Count, a charity supporting dementia carers about the work they do.

They offer a carer support line which is free and available Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Carer Support Line: 0800 652 1102

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

There’s lots to consider when it comes to independence and a dementia diagnosis, and it’s not just about the independence of the person living with dementia. Their families also face challenges around their independence too.

She’s joined by two Grahams in this episode - first Graham Horner from Macs Adventure who discusses how self-guided trips empower individuals and then Graham Galloway from Meeting Centres Scotland which helps people adjust to the changes that come with a dementia diagnosis.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

And are all your adventures big epic tasks like Harriet's 900 journey from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Well the good news is adventures don't have to be mega to have huge benefits for you.

In this week's episode Harriet takes a detour from her D Tour to enjoy some well earned R&R, before heading off to experience a day with a Dementia Adventure supported holiday.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

As Harriet heads towards Yorkshire on her 900 mile walk from Land's End to John O'Groats she's reflecting on World Alzheimer's Day on 21st September.

Currently, there are around 982,000 people living with a dementia diagnosis in the UK, a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Of these, 70,800 are under the age of 65, known as Young Onset Dementia.

This week she's exploring the importance of inclusion and how creating welcoming spaces for people living with dementia and their careers is vital.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

The D Tour podcast is proudly sponsored by Macs Adventure

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Harriet takes a bit of a detour from the D Tour this week as she pops over to Lichfield in Staffordshire to meet pop legend Tony Christie and his wife Sue.

Tony is an ambassador for Music For Dementia and he shares his experience of living with dementia and how music is helping him thrive.

Music and sound plays an important role in so many people's lives and this episode explores those connections between nature, music and well being.

You’ll also hear from Sarah Metcalfe from the Utley Foundation who are sponsoring this episode and sharing all episodes on the M4D radio station.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Harriet is on the edge of Wales as much of her journey this week takes place along the historic Offa's Dyke Path.

She's focussing on the power of storytelling and our own personal stories. The memories we're making and the ones we reflect on.

You'll hear how postcards and artifacts are being used trigger memories and there's a stop at a care home in Shropshire for a singalong with actress Sian Reeves.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Three weeks into her 900 mile adventure and food is a hot topic for Harriet. It's something she's been talking about a lot. Eating breakfast, skipping evening meals and the daily search for her morning coffee.

She examines how important food is for our physical and mental wellbeing and hears from chefs Adam Purnell (@shropshire.lad) and Cris Cohen (@FeastedUK) about how food is a multisensory experience offering love and a connection to ourselves.

It's also Harriet's birthday this week so expect celebrations

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Harriet's D Tour continues as she completes the last few days of her Cornish adventure and heads towards Devon.

Harriet is taking on the 900 mile walk from Land's End to John O'Groats on her own, but she's making friends along the way. We'll hear how these new connections as well as established friendships are helping her.

We'll also hear from Deb Bunt and Peter Berry who became friends after a chance meeting in a cycle shop and how their friendship has lead to them writing a book "The Slow Puncture" about Peter's life with Dementia. Becoming a published author was one of Deb's life long dreams.

And we'll also discover how animals and pets can be essential companions too, as Tamsin and Anthony from Collacott Farm share how horses teach humans how to live in the present.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Harriet has taken the first steps on her 900 mile D Tour. And most of them seem to be up hills along the South West Coastal Path in Cornwall!

In this first week on the road raising money and awareness for Dementia Adventure, Harriet is reflecting on how music and being outside intersect and create perfect conditions for creativity.

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

She's also surrounded by smells - the sea, the rain, the wild flowers all have a distinct scent that draw her back to places in time and evoke memories and feelings.

We discuss how the sense of smell affects people living with dementia.

You can find out more about the fabulous bath and body products by Land and Water here www.landandwater.co.uk

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking and cycling holidays for independent, active people who don't want to be part of the crowd or restricted by set dates and schedules.

Harriet Thomas has set off on her incredible journey on foot from Land's End To John O'Groats to raise funds for Dementia Adventure.

But you can't just wake up one morning, decide walking 900 miles is a good idea and simply walk out the door. It takes a bit more preparation.

In this episode Harriet shares her motivations behind her walk, why she wants to raise awareness around Dementia, how she has prepared for the adventure and a bit about her life too.

You'll hear her love for music, nature and passion for connecting with others.

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

You can listen to Harriet's playlist on Spotify. Each week she's adding songs to match her mood on her epic walk!

Harriet Thomas is off on a D Tour!

She's walking 900 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats, and she wants you to join her. 

The D Tour podcast will document Harriet's journey, the people she meets along the way, and her goal to raise £25,000 for Dementia Adventure. She'll speak to experts in the field of dementia, people living with dementia, as well as connect with local businesses and incredible individuals supporting people with dementia along her route. 

The first episode of D Tour is coming on Friday, August 9th - make sure you follow the podcast so you don't miss out. 

If you like what we are doing and want to support the Dementia Adventure Support Fund please donate . 

Dementia Adventure has been at the forefront of providing fully supported, small group short breaks for people living with dementia and their carers for 15 years. Our supported breaks offer more than just respite; they provide meaningful, purpose-driven experiences that significantly enhance the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

The best thing is that for every £1 you donate, Dementia Adventure will be able to double the donation due to the ongoing support from players of the People's Postcode Lottery.

Visit Dtour.uk to find out more and donate to this fantastic mission.