Nationwide Building Society Announces Major Expansion of Dementia Support Services
Nationwide Building Society has issued a significant update regarding changes to its branch services, with a focus on expanding critical support for individuals affected by dementia. The mutual organisation, which operates hundreds of branches across the United Kingdom, has confirmed it is extending its specialist dementia clinics to include Virgin Money branches. This move marks a substantial step in enhancing accessibility to vital resources for communities nationwide.
Expansion into Virgin Money Branches
Currently, Nationwide provides its dementia clinic service at over 230 of its own branches. The new initiative will see trial clinics launched at 12 Virgin Money locations, primarily situated in the North of England and Scotland, with operations commencing in May. The long-term objective is to roll out these clinics to additional Virgin Money branches, thereby broadening the network of support available to the public.
These free clinics are designed to offer assistance to anyone impacted by dementia, irrespective of whether they hold an account with Nationwide. The sessions are delivered by Admiral Nurses from Dementia UK, who provide expert guidance on a range of matters including obtaining a diagnosis, understanding dementia symptoms, and offering practical advice for carers.
Service Details and Appointment Booking
Customers can book a 45-minute session with an Admiral Nurse, either face-to-face at a branch or via telephone, ensuring flexibility and convenience. According to information on the Nationwide website, the nurses typically visit a branch every three months, scheduling appointments across up to three days during a week. This structured approach aims to maximise availability and support for those in need.
Charlotte Kensett, Director of Social Impact and Customer Experience at Nationwide, emphasised the society's commitment: "At Nationwide we want to ensure no-one faces dementia alone, so by expanding into our Virgin Money branches we hope that more people will get the support they require." She also highlighted that individuals affected by dementia can visit a specialist Admiral Nurse in one of the branches or contact the dementia helpline at 0800 888 6678.
Impact and Programme Statistics
Since the programme's inception in 2024, over 5,700 dementia clinic appointments have been booked across Nationwide's network. The organisation currently operates 605 Nationwide branches and 91 Virgin Money branches, with the expansion set to increase the total number of locations offering dementia support to 250 branches throughout the UK.
Regional data reveals that northern areas have experienced the highest uptake, with more than 2,900 appointments arranged, compared to 2,300 in southern regions. Additionally, over 400 appointments have been booked in Scotland, underscoring the widespread demand for these services.
Trial Clinic Locations and Key Dates
The trial clinics will be hosted at the following Virgin Money branches, with specific dates noted where confirmed:
- Sheffield - Thursday, May 7
- Dewsbury - Tuesday, May 12
- Washington - Tuesday, May 12
- Castleford - Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14
- Stockton, High Street - Tuesday, June 2
- South Shields, Fowler Street - Thursday, June 11
- Glenrothes (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
- Inverurie (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
- Baillieston (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
- Livingston (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
- Clydebank (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
- Hamilton (Scotland) - date to be confirmed
This expansion reflects Nationwide's ongoing dedication to social impact and customer experience, aiming to provide essential support to communities across the UK during challenging times.
