A new service for people living with mild to moderate dementia will launch across Southampton and Hampshire in July 2026, delivered by Solent Mind in collaboration with Havant & East Hampshire Mind, funded by NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a well-established, evidence-based group programme that helps people with dementia maintain cognitive skills, improve wellbeing and stay socially connected. It is the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for people with mild to moderate dementia.

The service will offer small, supportive, hour-long group sessions for 14 weeks at a time in community venues across Southampton and Hampshire, led by trained facilitators. Courses will run throughout the year, with a mix of daytime and some weekend sessions to help improve access for individuals, their loved ones/families and their carers.

Solent Mind along with Havant & East Hampshire Mind bring experience in delivering dementia-focused support. Solent Mind currently provides Remind, a well established service delivering support to those living with dementia and their carers throughout Portsmouth. Havant and East Hants Mind has been delivering the Older Persons Community Wellbeing Worker service for the past 2 years which supported and enabled older adults and those with dementia to live full lives with the right support and information. These experiences will help ensure the new service across Southampton and Hampshire is high quality, accessible and rooted in community needs.

Ian Stiff, Chief Operating Officer at Solent Mind on behalf of our two Minds, said:

“Cognitive Stimulation Therapy can make a real difference to people living with dementia, helping them remain engaged, connected and confident for longer. We’re proud to be working to provide this vital support to more people across Southampton and Hampshire.”

Stephen Trembath, Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism, for NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board said:

“This new service strengthens dementia care across Southampton and Hampshire by offering consistent access to an evidence-based intervention recommended by NICE. Working in partnership with our trusted voluntary sector helps ensure people receive the right support at the right time, close to home.”

Further details about how to access the service and course details (locations and start dates) will be made available shortly.