Conference Speakers

Claudine Snape

CEO, Dementia Jersey

Claudine has been CEO of Dementia Jersey since May 2021. Previously she has spent over 20 years in the UK charity sector, holding senior roles with Cancer Research UK, Asthma UK and the National Deaf Children’s Society. With personal experience of dementia within her family and close friends, Claudine is passionate about ensuring people affected by dementia receive the support they need to live well, while challenging stigma and improving understanding across the Island.

Dr Juan Melendez

Clinical Lead, Memory Assessment Service

Dr. Melendez qualified in Medicine and Surgery in Barcelona, and moved to the UK to pursue postgraduate training, working in the NHS for three years. He later relocated to Jersey to complete his training before returning to Spain, but the opportunity to help develop a new Memory Service changed the course of his career.

He is now Clinical Lead of the Memory Assessment Service, and collaborates as a Translational Researcher with the Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida. Dr Melendez’s professional interests focus on precision prevention medicine, the biology of ageing, and advancing the early detection, prevention, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through personalised approaches to healthcare.

Sarah Evans

Head of Care Projects, LV Care Group

Sarah Evans leads the development of LV Care’s new dementia village, an approach to dementia care designed around independence, dignity and a sense of community. She sits on the LV Care board and oversees projects in ten care homes, the group’s community services and a workforce of around 800. She also leads the group’s partnership working across Jersey’s health and care system.

Sarah joined LV Care in 2025 after 19 years with Health and Care Jersey. She began her career there as a Senior Orthoptist and went on to become General Manager for Primary, Preventative and Community Services, and then General Manager of Medicine, the largest care group in the service. During that time she led the establishment of a new breast screening unit, funded entirely through charitable donations, and worked with Macmillan on the Island’s cancer strategy. She sits on the HCJ Partnership Board and chairs its Cancer Sub-Group. A registered Allied Health Professional since 2004, been involved in international clinical research and more recently has focused her studies on Value Based Healthcare and Public Health as a student at UCL.

Zoe Blomfield

Managing Partner, Viberts

Zoe Blomfield is Managing Partner at Viberts and Head of the firm’s Private Client department. An expert in private client law, Zoe advises individuals and families on wills, trusts, estate planning, inheritance matters and Lasting Powers of Attorney. She is particularly recognised for her expertise in capacity and delegation matters and has been involved of many of the leading cases before the Royal Court of Jersey in this area.

Zoe has extensive experience supporting families through complex situations involving loss of capacity, sudden health changes and future planning, helping clients navigate legal and practical challenges with clarity and compassion. Zoe works closely with other professional advisers to ensure clients and their loved ones are protected, making her well placed to share insights on capacity, decision-making and planning for the future.

Dr Lindsey Collins

Associate Professor, University of Bradford

Dr. Lindsey Collins is an Associate Professor at the University of Bradford and a registered Speech and Language Therapist who specialises in working with people living with dementia. She has been responsible for developing specialist Speech and Language Therapy services within several UK NHS Mental Health Trusts prior to commencing her current role. Lindsey has a particular interest in supporting people living with dementia who experience eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, which has been the focus of her PhD and post-doctoral research.

Lindsey is also passionate about supporting others to develop skills to engage meaningfully with people living with dementia and enhance well-being. Within the University of Bradford’s Department of Applied Dementia Studies, Lindsey leads on the development, delivery and evaluation of person-centred dementia care consultancy and training packages for health and social care organisations throughout the UK and internationally.

Patricia Winchester

CEO, My Voice

Patricia is a highly qualified Independent Advocate who has specialised in mental health and capacity since 2006. She has huge experience of working with people suffering from a wide range of serious mental illnesses across our community. Patricia is passionate about ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect.

She was awarded National Outstanding Advocate for 2019-2020 in the National Advocacy Awards, runner up Outstanding Advocate in the National Advocacy Awards in 2018 and was nominated for a Human Rights Award in 2013 for her work in Mental Health in Jersey.

Dr Udaya Gammanpila & Dr Lara Strang

Dr Udaya Gammanpila – Consultant Psychiatrist & Clinical Lead, Older Adult Community Mental Health Team, Jersey

Dr. Udaya Gammanpila is a Consultant in the Older Adult Mental health team in Jersey, providing specialist care for patients with various mental health issues, including Dementia, Anxiety disorders, Depression, and Psychotic conditions.

He offers comprehensive mental health assessments and customised, person-centred treatment plans.

Dr Lara Strang – Consultant Psychiatrist, Older Adult Community Mental Health Team, Jersey

Dr. Lara Strang is a Consultant Psychiatrist in the Older Adult Community Mental Health Team, Health and Care Jersey. Dr. Strang specialises in the treatment of all mental disorders in the older adult population; this includes the diagnosis and management of Dementia.

Gail Edwards & Laura Teahan

Gail Edwards – Community Practitioner, Jersey Hospice

Gail Edwards is an Education Practitioner at Jersey Hospice Care with extensive experience supporting people with palliative and end-of-life care needs, both in the in-patient unit and the community. She was instrumental in transforming end of life care on the island and continues to be passionate about the Gold Standards Framework to enhance the quality of palliative and end of life care delivered in all care settings, by all healthcare professionals. She is proud to be a Queen’s Nurse.

Laura Teahan – Community Practitioner, Jersey Hospice

Laura Teahan is the Community Education Practitioner and Clinical Fellow Doctor in Palliative Medicine at Jersey Hospice. Having recently made the transition to education Laura is passionate about championing the amazing care around the island and sharing ways to enhance and improve the palliative and end of life experience for all islanders and their loved ones.

Daniel Pena & Rebecca Anderson

Daniel Pena – Deputy Manager, Telecare HCS 24 (Gov of Jersey)

Daniel is Deputy Manager for HCS 24 and is passionate about using technology and innovation to improve healthcare services. With a particular focus on telecare, digital transformation, and service improvement, he enjoys finding practical solutions that help people live more independently while supporting staff to work more efficiently. Daniel is driven by a desire to make a positive difference, bringing together technology, process improvement, and collaboration to deliver better outcomes for both patients and care teams.

Rebecca Anderson – Occupational Therapist, CNS Neuro Rehabilitation and Elderly Care

Rebecca is a dedicated Occupational Therapist for CNS Neuro Rehab & Elderly Care, with over 15 years’ experience supporting people to live independently, safely and comfortably in their own homes. Since qualifying in 2010, she has worked across a range of hospital and community settings, including acute and orthopaedic wards at Jersey General Hospital, clients’ homes and care homes, with extensive experience supporting people living with dementia. Taking a holistic and person-centred approach, Rebecca works closely with clients, families and carers to set meaningful goals, empowering individuals to maximise their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).