We were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Nigel Hullah. Nigel, who diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2012, was an active and well-loved member of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) since his nomination to the group by the Alzheimer's Society (United Kingdom), in October 2020. He was a gentle, humble man, who also had a great sense of humour and a wealth of wisdom. During his four and a half years of service and important contributions to the working group, he participated actively in multiple meetings and conferences of Alzheimer Europe, and lent his intelligent and thoughtful contributions to a wide variety of projects and publications, championing the importance of Public Involvement, of dementia research, and of supporting the rights of all people with disabilities, including those with a dementia diagnosis.
He delivered an excellent and heartfelt keynote speech (pictured) during the first plenary session organised, chaired and presented entirely by people living with dementia, at the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference (Helsinki, October 2023), where he spoke with great eloquence and passion about how such involvement can give people with dementia a purpose, a sense of belonging and hope. A proud Welshman, he was also the Chairperson of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group (3NDWG). Nigel was an inspiration to everyone he worked with, as he strove tirelessly to make dementia a priority for decision makers at all levels: in Europe, across the UK, in Wales and also in his local area of Swansea. He established Lleisiau Dementia, which gave a voice to people across Wales living with dementia, and was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Dementia Action Plan for Wales. At a series of meetings in Luxembourg this week, members of the EWGPWD and the staff and Board of Alzheimer Europe paid tribute to Nigel and held a minute's silence in his honour. We are all deeply saddened by this sudden and tragic loss and we offer our deepest condolences to Nigel's family, friends and colleagues.