The Lewy Body Society’s Dementia Inequalities Game has been shortlisted as Innovation of the Year by the University of Liverpool.

Co-produced with the University’s Dementia Research Group and people with lived experience of the disease, the game teaches health and social care professionals and the general public about the difficulties faced before and after receiving a dementia diagnosis, in an easy-to-understand way.

Jacqui Cannon said: “It is an honour to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award by a university. Over a million people are estimated to live with dementia across the UK, well over 100,000 with Lewy body dementia.

“Accessing a diagnosis, and care afterwards, is often subject to a variety of barriers for people with dementia and their unpaid carers.

“The Dementia Inequalities Game has been designed specifically to highlight these issues to people who may come across this demographic in their work or day-to-day life.

“It has been an exceptional experience to work with Dr Clarissa Giebel and her team on this innovative project as we strive to look for ever more creative ways to demystify dementia.”

The game shares similarities with the traditional Snakes and Ladders board game. Players landing on an inequality square choose a card, either a barrier (“your GP doesn’t recognise you may have dementia as you are aged 55. You are not referred for a specialist assessment. Move 3 steps back”) or a facilitator (“You have a carer who knows how to navigate the care system. Move 2 steps ahead.”) 

There are also general questions on dementia expanding the players’ knowledge about the disease. 

Dr Clarissa Giebel, Senior Research Fellow at the University’s Institute of Population Health and lead on the project, said: “Our Dementia Research Group at the University of Liverpool wanted to try a different approach to disseminate evidence on dementia inequalities.

“We decided to co-produce a game with the Lewy Body Society that enables learning and socialising at the same time. It was important for people with lived and professional experiences to have been involved in the design of this game, and it’s been a pleasure to see it grow so much.

“The game is now being implemented in teaching across multiple UK Universities in medical, psychology, allied health, and law courses, and we are currently also working with the Lewy Body Society on developing a version for primary school children.”

The award winners will be announced on Monday, 16 June, 2025.

The Dementia Inequalities Game is available in the Lewy Body Society online shop.