After leaving Hymers College, Andrew Edwards, OH 1975-85 forged a career as a radio presenter, working for the BBC for 34 years. In 2019, a year after his mother was diagnosed with mixed dementia (vascular and Alzheimer’s), he began to record a weekly audio diary. This documented her final years and the challenges and joys of playing an increasingly large part in her care. Carolyn died, at home in the Avenues, in 2022 at the age of 86. Andrew and his brother John (OH 1978-88) were with her.

The diaries reflected on the experience of looking after someone with a disease which is affecting more and more people. Andrew received a 'Dementia Hero' award from the Alzheimer's Society in recognition of his work.

Now, Andrew is involved with dementia charities and is a strong believer in talking about the realities of dementia. He was recently invited to speak at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland about his Mum and living with the condition. Before her diagnosis, but with her memory and behaviour already changing, Andrew had taken her there on one of her last holidays. At the event he talked to people about their own dementia 'journeys', offering help and encouragement:

I'm passionate about spreading the 'word' from the experience of an ordinary son trying to do the best for his Mum, learning as he went along - my lived experience

Related Articles:

• Radio Career of Andrew Edwards
• Notable Alumni: Andrew Edwards
• Mum and Me: The Dementia Diary (external website)
• Dementia & me (external website)