A DEMENTIA nurse has won an award for setting up a service that offers free legal advice to the families of dementia patients.

Consultant dementia nurse Kathryn Penrith was named Dementia Carer of the Year at the Great British Care Awards North West for her team’s pilot project Dementia Law Clinic, which is based at Making Space on Allen Street in Bewsey.

The service offers free legal advice to the family and friends of people living with dementia – advising on complex issues arising from care including nursing home disputes and powers of attorney.

Dementia Law Clinic is the first in the country to offer free legal advice, dementia nursing and support for families.

Kathryn said: “The clinic is already making a difference to local families who don’t know where to turn.

“What we have found is that families require additional psychological and practical support as well as the legal advice and this is why we offer several components delivered by skilled professionals in those areas.

“This is where we really differ from other sources of legal advice and this is why we offer several components delivered by skilled professionals in those areas.

“Through the Dementia Space team, in partnership with the University of Manchester, we are a comprehensive advice package.

“Caring can be a full-time responsibility so we are flexible in our attempts to meet families needs – technology supports us to do this both face-to-face and from a distance.”

Making Space was a finalist in four other categories at the awards, which were held at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.