Experts in Dementia Care & Cognitive Health
As dementia specialists, we have spent over 10 years working closely with families affected by this disease, helping individuals stay active, independent and engaged for longer.
We have worked in partnership with universities across the UK, contributing to research into effective approaches for supporting cognitive health and delaying decline.
Our mission is to maintain each individual’s mental and physical wellbeing, enabling them to remain independent and live at home for as long as possible.
We do this by listening carefully to families and to the individual themselves, understanding what matters most, and delivering structured, clinically-led support that is tailored to each person.
Our services include specialist dementia day support, therapeutic sessions, carer support, training and bespoke guidance — all designed to provide meaningful support and measurable outcomes.
We stay up to date with the latest research in dementia care and continually refine what we do, combining evidence with real-world experience.
We also measure progress over time, giving families clear insight into how their loved one is responding and allowing us to adapt support as needs change.
This is what makes The Ness different — we provide specialist, structured dementia support designed to make a meaningful difference.
About our Founder, Jonathan Hanbury
Jonathan Hanbury founded The Ness in 2017 to transform how dementia is understood and treated in the UK. With 20 years’ experience in the NHS as a clinical nurse and senior NHS leader, he saw first-hand the lack of expert support and choice available to families.
Inspired by pioneering dementia care in Holland, Jonathan set out to bring that vision to the UK. He is dedicated to advancing cognitive health and reshaping dementia care through both technology and service innovation.
“Dementia is a complex, long-term condition that cannot be solved by doctors or hospitals alone. It must be met within the community—by people committed to challenging perceptions and driving change. At The Ness, we are determined to make that difference.”
Who we work with
Research projects
The Ness seeks collaboration. We recognise that partnership encourages innovation and improvements in care. Over the last decade we have been involved in collaboration with leading universities and organisations across the UK and are always open to fresh ideas and the latest innovations.
The GRACE Project
The Ness is working with St Mary’s University London on this exciting psychosocial treatment model. GRACE is a goal orientated coaching model that helps those supporting someone living with dementia
Montessori
The Ness is part of a growing UK movement to integrate the ground breaking Montessori techniques into supporting someone living with memory loss.
Montessori emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and collaborative activity to maintain independence and activities of daily living.
Polyvagal Theory
The Ness is unique in recognising the importance of the vagus nerve and vagal regulation in treating anxiety and emotional dysregulation in those living with dementia.
We use the techniques designed by Dr Porges’s Polyvagal Theory to reduce acute anxiety and stimulate the benefits of the parasympathetic system.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
This forms the foundation of the work we do at The Ness. All our staff are trained in Dr Spector’s model. After a decade of using her treatment model we have taken the core concepts and gone a step further into the neurology (please see The Ness Model).
As the leading practitioners in CST across Devon we teach CST both in person and online.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT)
This approach has traditionally been used in the treatment of brain injury, but is now increasingly applied to support people living with dementia.
CRT involves one-to-one work with individuals, helping them maintain specific skills and independence despite changes in brain function.
AI in Cognitive Health
The Ness is at the forefront of how digital technology can support people living with memory loss.
We are partnered with Eve (www.iameve.ai) and AI virtual companion that can build a circle of support around an individual at home keeping them safe, connected and supported.