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Qualifications

PhD (2009), E-Learning and Blindness: evaluating the quality of the learning experience to inform policy and practice, University of Birmingham

M Ed (2002), Equality and Diversity, Open University

PGCE (1997), Secondary (Business and Economic), ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥

BSc Hons 1^st (1997), Information Technology, Open University

Research

Programme Manager for the Meeting Centres UK project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. This involves supporting organisations and individuals to set up 15 to 20 Meeting Centres for people with dementia and their families in their local community. A key aspect is developing a toolkit for Meeting Centres to collect their own data to support funding applications and aid self-evaluation. This project takes forward the experience and learning from the project as below.

Shirley was co-investigator on , project managing on a day to day basis across the UK partners and co-ordinating with the European partners; developing evaluation documentation; supporting implementation of the evaluation; writing reports, dissemination materials and preparing publications and investigating related opportunities.

In previous roles Shirley initiated a portfolio of a wide range of projects both European and UK funded. These included projects relating to technology, inclusion and education and training packages for teachers and trainers with funding from Leonardo, Grundtvig and the European Social Fund, the Learning and Skills Council, Quality Improvement Agency, Becta and Jisc.

Grants and projects

(Note that there are a number of grants and related funding obtained for running costs for local initiatives which are not included here.)

• Herefordshire Dementia Voices 2: Sustainable Community Support, (2024-2027), The National Lottery Community Fund. £314,517
• Food Glorious Food: A mixed methods evaluation of food-related practices in post-diagnostic community-based group support for people affected by dementia (2024-2026), National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) (205163). £333,282
• Herefordshire Dementia Voices 1 (2022 to 2023), The National Lottery Community Fund. £74,447
• Meeting Centres UK Network and sustainabilty, (2023 to 2024), Shaw Foundation, £35,000
• Crossing the Line: Providing personal care in the context of families affected by dementia, (2022-2024), National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR 202970). £254,141
• Sustaining Locally-Driven Social Care For Those Affected By Dementia: A Realist Evaluation Of Successful Meeting Centres (Get Real with Meeting Centres), (2020 to 2023) Research for Social Care (RfSC) Programme: National institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR 20861). £349,912
• Worcester Life Stories (2021/22) funded by Historic England. £18,600.
• Leominster Meeting Centre Heritage Pathway to Sustainability, (2022), Herefordshire Community Fund, £9,900
• Leominster Meeting Centre Heritage Project, (2021/22), Tudor Trust, £40,000
• Leominster Meeting Centre Heritage Project, (2021), Herefordshire Community Fund, £3,000
• UK Meeting Centres Support Programme - Embed, (2021 to 2022), The National Lottery Community Fund. £50,000
• Meeting Centres PhD Studentship, (2021 to 2024), Shaw Foundation, £30,000
• UK Meeting Centres Support Programme, (2018 to 2021), The National Lottery Community Fund. £587,601
• SCI-Dem Realist evaluation of sustainable community-based support for people and families affected by dementia. (2018-2020) Alzheimer’s Society Grant. £150,000
• MEETINGDEM: Adaptive implementation and Validation of the positively evaluated Meeting Centres Support Programme for people with dementia and their carers in Europe, (2018-2020) EU JPND, 1.199.819 2014-17Euro, 2014-17

Publications

Stephens, N., Evans, S., Russell, C., & Brooker, D. (2023). Understanding ‘value’ in the context of community-based interventions for people affected by dementia: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 00, 1–13.

Morton, T., Evans, S. B., Swift, R., Bray, J. & Frost, F. (2023). The legacy of COVID-19 in dementia community support: ongoing impacts on the running of Meeting Centres. Working with Older People. (In Press). doi: 10.1108/WWOP-03-2023-0006

Russell, C., Kohe, G.Z., Evans, S.B, and Brooker, D. (2022) Rethinking Spaces of Leisure: How People Living with Dementia Use the Opportunities Leisure Centres Provide to Promote their Identity and Place in the World, International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure. doi: 10.1007/s41978-022-00121-x

Evans, S., Brooker, D., Bray, J., Stephens, N., (2022), The Essential Features of Meeting Centres: development of the UK criteria for community support for people affected by dementia, , Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 191-201.

, , , and (2022), Community makers: report on developing an online toolkit for supporting people with dementia to connect during the pandemic and beyond, , Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.

Gerritsen, D., van der Roest, H., Evans, S.B., Leontjevas, R., Prins, M., Brooker, D. & Dröes, R.M (In Press expected 2022) Chapter 13: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of people living with dementia. In M. van den Bulcke and E. Schokkaert (Eds) Dementia & Society: Cambridge University Press

Evans, S.B., Bray, J., and Brooker, D. (2021), , Working with Older People

Henderson, C., Rehill, A., Brooker, S., Evans, S.C., Evans, S.B., Bray, J., Saibene, F.L., Scorolli, C., SzczeÅ›niak, D., d’Arma, A., Urbanska, K., Atkinson, T., Farina, E., Rymaszewska, J., Chattat, R., Meiland, F.J.M., Dröes, R.M., Knapp, M. (2021), Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of the Meeting Centres Support Programme for People Living with Dementia in Italy, Poland and the UK: The MEETINGDEM Study. Health and Social care in the Community

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T & Evans, S.B. (2021) Keeping community groups and activities going - Sustainable Community Interventions for people affected by Dementia: Recommendations for practice from the SCI-Dem Project. ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ ISBN 978-0-903607-33-9

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T. & Evans, S.B. (2021) Sustaining community groups and activities for people affected by dementia: Recommendations from the SCI-Dem Project for commissioners and policy-makers. ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ ISBN 978-0-903607-34-6

Morton, T., Brooker, D., Wong, G., Atkinson, T. & Evans, S.B. (2021) Helping your community group or activity club to keep going strong: Suggestions for members of groups and clubs from the SCI-Dem Review. ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ ISBN 978-0-903607-35-3

Dorota SzczeÅ›niak, Joanna Rymaszewska, Francesca Lea Saibene, Katarzyna MaÅ‚gorzata Lion, Alessia D’arma, Dawn Brooker, Shirley B. Evans, Simon C. Evans, Rabih Chattat, Claudia Scorolli, Franka Meiland, Iris Hendriks, Rose-Marie Dröes & Elisabetta Farina (2021) Meeting centres support programme highly appreciated by people with dementia and carers: a European cross-country evaluation, Aging & Mental Health, 25:1, 149-159, DOI:

Katarzyna MaÅ‚gorzata Lion, Dorota SzczeÅ›niak, Katarzyna BuliÅ„ska, Justyna Mazurek, Shirley B. Evans, Simon C. Evans, Francesca Lea Saibene, Alessia d’Arma, Claudia Scorolli, Elisabetta Farina, Dawn Brooker, Rabih Chattat, Franka J. M. Meiland, Rose-Marie Dröes, Joanna Rymaszewska. (2021) . Aging & Mental Health 25:1, pages 160-169.

Russell, C., Kohe, G.Z., Brooker, D. and Evans, S. (2020) ‘Sporting Identity, Memory, and People with Dementia: Opportunities, Challenges, and Potential for Oral History’, The International Journal of the History of Sport, 36(13-14), pp.1157-1179. doi: 10.1080/09523367.2019.1703690.

Urbanska, K., SzczeÅ›niak D, Evans,S…., et al (2019), Do people with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairments experience Stigma? A cross-cultural investigation between Italy, Poland and the UK, Aging and Mental Health (awaiting publication);

Evans, S., Brooker, D., Evans, S., et al, (2018), The impact of the implementation of the Dutch combined Meeting Centres Support Programme for family caregivers of people with dementia in Italy, Poland and UK, Aging and Mental Health, 6:1-11 ;

Brooker D, Evans S, Evans S, et al. Evaluation of the implementation of the Meeting Centres Support Program in Italy, Poland, and the UK; exploration of the effects on people with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018;33:883–892.

SzczeÅ›niak, D., Dröes, R., Meiland, F., Brooker, D., Evans, S, B., et al (2018). Does the community-based combined Meeting Center Support Programme (MCSP) make the pathway to day-care activities easier for people living with dementia? A comparison before and after implementation of MCSP in three European countries. International Psychogeriatrics, 30(11), 1717-1734. doi:10.1017/S1041610217002885;

Brooker D, Evans S, Evans S, et al. (2018), Evaluation of the implementation of the Meeting Centres Support Program in Italy, Poland, and the UK; exploration of the effects on people with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018;33:883–892.

Evans, S.B., Evans, S.C., Bray, J., (2017), The iPad project: Introducing iPads into care homes in the UK to support digital inclusion Journal of Gerontechnology (under review);

Meiland, F., Innes, A., Mountain, G., Robinson, R., van der Roest, H., Antonio, J., Gove, D., Thyrian, R., Evans, S., Dröes, R.M., Franco-Martín, M., (2017), Technologies to support community-dwelling persons with dementia: an INTERDEM position paper on issues regarding development, usability, (cost)effectiveness, implementation and ethics under review Journal of Medical Internet Research [online] http://rehab.jmir.org/

Brooker, D., Droes, R. M., Evans, S., (2016), Framing outcomes of post-diagnostic psychosocial interventions in dementia: The Adaptation-Coping Model and Adjusting to Change. Working with Older People. Vol 21: Issue 1

Brooker, D., Droes, RM., Evans S., (2015), Facilitators and barriers to opening a Meeting Centre for people with dementia and their carers in the United Kingdom. the UK Dementia Congress, Telford, November 2015

Evans, S., (2015), CMALT: recent trends in learning technology specialisms and CPD opportunities. Conference paper presented at ALT-C, Manchester, 2015

Minocha, S., McNulty, C., Evans, S., (2015) Imparting digital skills to people aged 55 years and over in the UK, [online] http://oro.open.ac.uk/44009/, (last accessed 19th October 2015) Open University Milton Keynes, UK

Evans, S., Evans S., Bray, J., (2015), How iPads can support people with dementia living in care homes [online] http://www.anchor.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/study-reveals-ipads-have-substantial-potential-improve-quality-life (last accessed 19th October 2015

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2015), Meeting Centres: an innovative way of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia and their families through an evidence-based, person-centred approach. Conference paper presented at the British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, July 2015

Evans, S., and Minocha, S., E-learning and over 65s: designing for accessibility and digital inclusion , (2013), Conference paper to be presented at 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA, (accepted for presentation in March 2014).

Evans, S., (2013), Enable – a European Network on ICT to Support Lifelong Learning by Disabled Students. Conference paper to be presented at 29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA, (accepted for presentation in March 2014).

Evans, S., Hersh S., and Ball, S., (2013), Enable Network on ICT to Support Lifelong Learning by Disabled Students. Abstract in: ALT-C 2013 Building New Cultures of Learning, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., and Minocha, S., (2013), Accessibility, usability and safety of online environments: the implications for designing e-learning for older people. Abstract in: ALT-C 2013 A confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Ball, S., Evans, S., and Loftfield, A., (2013) Discover Jisc: Promoting Inclusive
Learning and Teaching in the Further Education and Skills Sector. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Evans, S., and Featherstone, L., (2013), In-Folio: an easy to use e-portfolio for learners with learning difficulties or disabilities. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Evans, S., and Loftfield, A., (2013), The Jisc TechDis Toolbox and Voices and the SBRI Assistive Technology Competitions. In the proceedings of International Conference on Using New Technologies for Inclusive Learning, Enable 2013, M.A. Hersh (ed.).

Hartnett, E., Minocha, S., Palmer, J., Petre, M., Evans, S., Middup, C. P., Dunn, K., Murphy, B., Heap, T., and Dave Roberts (2013). Older People and Online Social Interactions: An Empirical Investigation. In the proceedings of 18th UKAIS Conference on Information Systems.

Minocha, S., Hartnett, E., Dunn, K., Evans, S., Heap, T., Middup, C. P., Murphy, B., and Roberts, D., (2013) Conducting Empirical Research with Older People. In the proceedings of HCI 2013, 27th April 2013, Paris, France.

Evans, S., and Ball, S., (2012), Accessibility Maturity of TEL in UK HE: JISC TechDis lifts the lid on a decade of progress. In proceedings of: 7th International Blended Learning Conference, University of Hertfordshire.

Evans, S., McNaught, A., (2012), JISC TechDis Voices for learners - bringing synthetic speech to the mainstream. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., Featherstone, L., (2012), JISC TechDis Toolbox - digital resources to enhance employability skills for disabled students. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., Taylor, J., Berkley, V., Wilder, B., Featherstone, L., (2012), E-Safety and Vulnerable Learners: a cross-sectoral approach to developing resources. Abstract in: ALT-C 2012 a confrontation with reality, 11-13 September 2012, University of Manchester, UK.

Evans, S., (2011), Evaluating a Higher Education Inclusive Practice and Learning Scheme in the UK. Abstract presented at 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA.

Evans, S., (2011), In-Folio: an accessible e-portfolio for students with disabilities. Abstract presented at 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA.

McNaught, A., Evans, S., and Ball, S., (2010), E-Books and Inclusion: Dream Come True or Nightmare. In proceedings of: Computers Helping People with Special Needs, 12th International Conference, ICCHP 2010, Vienna, Austria, July 14-16, 2010. Proceedings, Part I

Evans, S (2009), E-learning and Blindness: evaluating the quality of the learning experience to inform policy and practice. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/321/ (last accessed 1st March 2014) Ph.D. thesis, University of Birmingham.

Evans, S., and Douglas, G., (2008). E-Learning and Blindness: A Comparative Study of the Quality of an E-Learning Experience. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. 102, 2, pp. 77-88

Sales, A., Evans, S., Musgrove, N., and Homfray, R., (2006), Full-screen magnification on a budget: Using a hardware-based multi-display graphics card as a screen-magnifier, British Journal of Visual Impairment, September; vol. 24, 3: pp. 135-140

Evans, S., (2002), Using a Virtual Learning Environment to deliver transitional skills at the Royal National College for the Blind. British Journal of Visual Impairment, September 2002; vol. 20, 3: pp. 101-104

Conference papers

Evans, S.B., and Briggs, S., UK Dementia Congress, November 2023, Birmingham, England

Evans, S.B., Crossing the Line: co-producing resources to support family carers providing personal care, Alzheimer’s Europe, October 2023, Helsinki, Finland

Evans, S.B., Galloway, G., Coleman, R. & Taylor, K. Dementia Meeting Centres: People affected by dementia take the lead. 23rd International Conference on Integrated Care, May 2023, Antwerp, Belgium 

Evans, S.B. Case Study: Improving The Wellbeing Of Those With Dementia Through Meeting Centres. Tackling the Challenges of Dementia, January 2023, online

Evans, S., Galloway, G., Capper, C., Gerrard, D., Stephens, B., Ward, J., Charters, M., Bruce, M., (2022), A Meeting Centre in Every Town: national and regional perspectives – symposium, UK Dementia Congress November 2022, Birmingham.

Evans, S.B. Meeting Centres UK: building a portfolio of evidence. Alzheimer Europe InterDem October 2022, Bucharest, Romania

Evans, S.B. Meeting Centres in the UK: national and regional approaches to implementation and development. Alzheimer Europe October 2022, Bucharest, Romania

Evans, S., Galloway, G., Coleman, R., Beattie, J., Manji, K., (2022), Meeting Centres in the UK: national and regional approaches to implementation and development, Alzheimer’s Europe October 2022, Bucharest.

Evans, S.B. Welcome address (chair as well). The Care Homes Conference 2022: Providing Person-Centred Care for Older People, online

Evans, S., and Brooker., (2020), How Meeting Centres adapted to COVID-19: strategies and impact, UK Dementia Congress (online).

Evans S., and Brooker, D., (2020), How can Meeting Centres support people affected by dementia to adjust to change during a period of physical distancing? Alzheimer’s Europe (online)

Evans S., and Galloway, G., (2020), What if they forget who we are?

Adapting the Meeting Centre Support Programme during lockdown and physical distancing,

Evans, S., and Brooker, D.,(2019) The Meeting Centre Support Programme: Scaling up across the UK (UK MCSP) Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Doncaster

Evans, S., and Brooker, D.,(2018) The Meeting Centre Support Programme: Scaling up across the UK (UK MCSP) Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Brighton;

Evans, S., (2017) Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Meeting Centres Support Programme for people living with dementia and their carers in Italy, Poland and the UK. Conference presentation at the Alzheimer Europe conference, Berlin;

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2017) The implementation and evaluation of the Meeting Centre Support Programme in the UK, Italy and Poland. Conference presentation at the UK Dementia Congress, Doncaster;

Brooker, D., Droes, RM., Evans S., (2015), Facilitators and barriers to opening a Meeting Centre for people with dementia and their carers in the United Kingdom. Conference paper to be presented at the UK Dementia Congress, Telford, November 2015;

Brooker, D., and Evans, S., (2015), Meeting Centres: an innovative way of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia and their families through an evidence-based, person-centred approach. Conference paper presented at the British Society of Gerontology Annual Conference, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, July 2015.

Seminars

Evans, S.B. and Morton, T., Kirklees Meeting Centre Workshop, September 2023, Huddersfield

Evans, S.B., National Trust Meeting Centre Workshop, June 2023, Wisbech

Evans, S.B. and Morton, T., What is a Dementia Meeting Centre and how can it help your community? Dementia Meeting Centre Workshop, May 2023, Swansea

Evans, S.B. What is a Dementia Meeting Centre and how can it help your community? Dementia Meeting Centre Workshop, April 2022, Dublin, Ireland

The Institute of Government and Public Policy (2022), April 2022: Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia and the impact of COVID-19

Alzheimer’s Disease International (2022), Global Conference June 2022: Meeting Centres: regional approaches to community-based support for people affected by dementia

Alzheimer’s Europe (2021), How Meeting Centres have continued to support people affected by dementia and flourish in the UK despite the pandemic (online)

Alzheimer’s Europe (2020), How can Meeting Centres support people affected by dementia to adjust to change during a period of physical distancing? (online)

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March 2020), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Peebles, UK (online)

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (February 2020), Worcestershire Meeting Centres Community Support Scheme. Worcester, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (December 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Wales Cross Party, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (November 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. London, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (November 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Doncaster, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Leeds, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Manchester, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Belfast, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (October 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Dagenham, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (Sept, 2019), Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Wrexham, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (May, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Bury Port, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (April, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. London, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Hereford, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (March, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Brecon Theatre Wales, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S.B. & Watts, M. (February, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Northampton University, UK

Brooker, D. & Evans, S. B. & Watts, M (January, 2016). Pioneer workshop: Meeting Centres Support Programme. Worcester University, UK

PhD Supervision

Current

Director of Studies for Jen Edgecombe: Jen is researching dementia caregiving within later in life re-partnerships, in the context of significant growth in older adults divorcing, dating and re-partnering. This project plans to explore anticipatory planning around dementia, the differences between caregiving intentions and actions, motivations and barriers to dementia caregiving within re-partnerships.

Director of Studies for Nathan Stephens: Investigating ‘The effectiveness of a novel strategic approach to scaling up the provision of Meeting Centres across Worcestershire.’ (match-funded by The Shaw Foundation). Nathan is investigating Social Return on Investment.

Director of Studies for : her research is focused on the Care Fit for VIPs framework as an accreditation framework in care homes.

Director of Studies for Gemma Moore: Gemma is investigating ‘How contemporary fine art drawing and painting practice can be embedded into Meeting Centre culture?’

Co-supervisor for Diane Bushell: Di’s research interest is in exploring empathic communication between people living with dementia and their family care partners. Di is interested in understanding synchrony within family dyads that allows connection and meaningful communication to take place.

Co-supervisor for : MJ is investigating how best to support people living with dementia with post-traumatic stress disorder in care homes

Co-supervisor for PhD student at the University of Exeter: investigating developing understandings of how an intervention for carers of people with dementia impacts on those with dementia.

Co-supervisor for Samita Kirve: Her research is focused on identifying the gaps in dementia education provision in occupational therapy programmes across higher education institutions in the UK.

Completed

Dr Rebecca Oatley completed 2021 - From washing boots to motor racing champions: Exploring women’s experiences of sport reminiscence for people affected by dementia.

Dr Chris Russell completed 2020 - Because life’s there…understanding the experience and identity of people living with dementia in the context of leisure and fitness centres.

External Responsibilities

Chair of - supporting dementia friendly communities in Herefordshire and helping to reduce stigma. Now incorporating for people affected by dementia and carers.

Co-founder and Secretary of which is a coalition of organisations and individuals who are committed to enabling people to live well with dementia in their community.

Deputy Chair of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dementia Programme Board

Former Chair of - aimed to ensure that people affected by dementia feel a valued part of family, community and civic life. This has now been amalgamated into the Dementia Partnership Board