Nationwide Building Society is scheduling further dates for its dementia clinics after a trial across 12 Virgin Money branches in Northern England and Scotland showed positive uptake and encouraging feedback.
The savings provider has been running the pilot as part of its branch offering, with clinics now held in all 12 pilot branches. A spokesperson said: "The trial is still ongoing, but clinics have now taken place in all 12 Virgin Money pilot branches across Northern England and Scotland. We've seen positive uptake and encouraging feedback from both those attending the clinics and branch colleagues who host them."
What are the dementia clinics?
The clinics are 45-minute appointments where people can meet with an Admiral Nurse, trained by Dementia UK, to discuss concerns about the condition. The sessions are free and confidential, offering advice on symptoms to look out for and how to care for someone with dementia.
When Nationwide announced the trial in April 2026, it confirmed dates for clinics at Northern England branches running from May to June. This included events in Sheffield, Dewsbury, Washington and Castleford in May, and Stockton, High Street and South Shields, Fowler Street in June. Dates for the Scottish branches were not confirmed at the time.
Scottish trial completed
The group confirmed: "The Scottish trial has taken place - with clinics running in branches including Glenrothes, Hamilton, Livingston, Clydebank, Inverurie and Baillieston. Following a positive response, further clinic dates are continuing to be scheduled as part of the ongoing evaluation of the pilot."
Staff said the one-to-one support from Admiral Nurses was hugely valuable, and Nationwide said the clinics helped spark "wider conversations" in local communities about dementia and available support.
Common questions and expansion plans
Common issues raised at the clinics include symptoms, understanding a diagnosis and how to get one, practical advice on caring for someone with dementia, emotional support for family members and carers, planning for the future, and guidance on financial and legal matters.
The spokesperson added: "People also use the clinics to discuss complex situations they may be facing, understand what support services are available locally and get advice following a bereavement. Admiral Nurses take the time to understand each family's circumstances and provide tailored advice and support."
Asked about further expansion, Nationwide said: "We continually review the programme to ensure the clinics are reaching the communities where they are needed most. Since launching in 2024, more than 8,700 appointments have been booked through our branch clinics, demonstrating strong demand for accessible dementia support."
Clinics are now available at more than 250 branches across Nationwide's UK network. The building society said it will continue to assess demand and opportunities for further expansion as part of its partnership with Dementia UK.
The spokesperson explained: "Our dementia clinics are part of Nationwide's Fairer Futures social impact strategy and reflect our belief that branches can play an important role in connecting people with expert support in their communities. Through our partnership with Dementia UK, we're helping make specialist advice more accessible by providing a familiar, local and free-to-use setting for people affected by dementia."
The comments follow research from Nationwide finding that fewer than one in 10 adults with living parents have spoken about how they would like their finances managed should they develop a condition like dementia. Almost a quarter said they wouldn't know where to start in taking on someone's finances, and more than four in 10 said their household would be financially unprepared.
Charlotte Kensett, director of Social Impact for Nationwide, said: "Too often, families only start thinking about finances when dementia has already reached a crisis point. Having conversations and putting plans in place earlier can help ensure a person's wishes are understood, reduce uncertainty for loved ones and make managing the challenges ahead that little bit easier."
Clinics can be booked on the Dementia UK website.
