A place for practical help, gentle support, and hope — for anyone facing dementia, caring, or grieving.
Welcome to Alan’s Light.
We are four siblings who lost our father to dementia, and we created this space in memory of our Dad, Alan, to share what we learnt and to support others walking a similar path.
When Dad became ill, our world changed. We learnt so much along the way: the things that helped, the things we wish we’d known sooner, and the quiet ways people supported us when we didn’t have the words to ask.
Alan’s Light exists because we don’t want other families to feel as lost or alone as we sometimes did.
This is a place where we share what we’ve learnt — honestly, gently, and practically — so that you can find the support you need, in a way that feels manageable.
Our story, in a few minutes
A short introduction to Alan’s Light — our Dad, and why we created this space.
If you’d like to know more about Dad’s life, visit our About Alan page. 💛
Start here (if you’re not sure where to begin)
If you’re visiting Alan’s Light because life feels heavy right now, you’re not alone. Here are a few simple places to start:
1) If you’re caring for someone with dementia
You’ll find support for day-to-day life, ideas that make things calmer, and reminders that you matter too.
Go to: Caring Support
2) If dementia is new in your family
Overwhelm is normal. We’ll help you slow it down into small steps and simple next questions.
Go to: New to Dementia
3) If you’re grieving
Grief can come in waves. Here you’ll find comfort, remembrance ideas, and gentle support.
Go to: Grief Support
4) If you feel alone
Connection changes everything. We’ll point you towards community and ways to feel held up.
Go to: Community
What is Alan’s Light?
Alan’s Light is a growing resource for:
- Caring and coping — practical guidance for real life
- Grief and remembrance — support after loss, and ways to honour the person you love
- Community — connection, comfort, and encouragement
- Hope — honest and gentle, without pretending it’s easy
Everything here is shaped by lived experience — and offered with kindness.
Why we created it
For the carer reading this
You might not call yourself a carer. Most people don’t, at first. You’re just doing what needs doing — sorting the tablets, ringing the GP again, sleeping with one ear open, holding it together at work, holding it together at home.
But that is caring. And it counts.
We know what it’s like to count out medication at midnight and still not feel sure. To flinch when the phone rings. To love someone fiercely and feel exhausted by them in the same hour. To want a cup of tea in peace and then feel guilty for wanting it.
You’re not selfish. You’re not failing. You’re doing one of the hardest, most unseen things a person can do — and you’re doing it for love.
This part of Alan’s Light is for you. Practical help when you need it, gentle company when you don’t. You matter as much as the person you’re caring for. Please don’t forget that.
What you’ll find on this website
Resources & Guides
Clear, gentle information you can come back to whenever you need it.
Visit Resources
Our Story
Dad’s journey — what happened, what we learnt, and what we want others to know.
Read Our Story
The Blog
Short posts to encourage you, help you cope, and remind you you’re not alone — new every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Read the Blog
A Small Light — The Journal
Our companion journal for carers: a quiet place to put things down on the good days and the hard ones.
About the Journal
Get Involved
If you’d like to support Alan’s Light through sharing, fundraising, or volunteering.
Get Involved
A gentle note, from us to you
If you’re here because you’re scared, tired, or grieving — we’re so sorry you’re carrying that.
Please take what helps, leave what doesn’t, and come back whenever you need to.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Stay connected
If you’d like occasional emails with gentle encouragement, practical support, and new resources, you can join our mailing list.
Stay connected with Alan’s Light
You’re very welcome to follow and share Alan’s Light on social media:
We share gentle reflections, updates, and resources — and hope they help you feel a little less alone.
Alan’s Light
In memory of Alan Edmonds — and for every family learning to live with love through hard days.