Rosie’s interest in dementia support developed initially from her previous career working for Alzheimer’s Society and then Dementia Care Partnership in Newcastle upon Tyne in various roles. In 2009, an opportunity arose when a local art group formed by three families and run by an Occupational Therapist was unable to continue: the group needed to expand and be taken out into the community in order to thrive. This was just Rosie’s cup of tea so she persuaded two former colleagues to join her and, working with those three founding families, Chrysalis was born! At the start Chrysalis had no funding, no constitution and no premises but the team had a determination to succeed which remains until this day. Rosie is, and always has been, the Chair. Since its inception, Chrysalis has built a board of trustees with extensive practical experience of operating a business and in dementia, mental health and physical therapy, along with a talented and experienced team of staff and volunteers. Chrysalis is now in the process of delivering a 5 year strategy for development which included the acquisition of our own premises in Hexham in 2021 and which focuses on continuing to expand our services within the Tyne Valley community to support those living with dementia, their families and carers.

David has been the Treasurer at Chrysalis for over 11 years, having worked with our trustees Rosie and Liz at Dementia Care Partnership where he was the Senior Finance Manager. He has had a varied career working in practice, corporate engineering, construction, social housing, social and health care and manages all financial matters for Chrysalis. In his spare time, he is also the treasurer for a local cadet squadron.

Sheelagh joined Chrysalis in 2019 as a volunteer after retiring, quickly becoming a lead volunteer and then joining the board as a trustee in 2021. She previously worked as a Biochemist and then as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at The Sele First School in Hexham. A keen gardener, Sheelagh often provides tutoring sessions at Chrysalis, helping our members to create beautiful pots of bulbs and hanging baskets to take home.

Liz started volunteering with Chrysalis in early 2020 and became a trustee a year later. She has worked for over 40 years as a physiotherapist in the UK and abroad, including specialist roles within adult rehabilitation and driving assessment for drivers with disabilities. Liz undertook a postgraduate course in dementia studies at Bradford University and was keen to use the skills and experience she had developed. As a physiotherapist, she has a particular interest in exercising to maintain mobility and often incorporates short “exercise snacks” into sessions. Liz has led the development of the Prudhoe and District Group which meets in Wylam once a month.

Mike first became involved with Chrysalis when his wife Anne-May, who at that time had moderate Alzheimers, joined as a member. Chrysalis provided Mike and Anne-May with help and support throughout the Covid lockdowns when contact with other people was very limited. After Anne-May moved to residential care, he became more involved with Chrysalis and was invited to become a trustee. Mike has many years of experience in strategic delivery as a project manager at a multinational company. He assists Melanie with our Carer Support Group and our Young Persons Group for those diagnosed earlier in life who may face different challenges. In 2022 Mike completed a gruelling sponsored bike ride from Lands’ End to John O’ Groats, raising over £10,000 for Chrysalis.