Our Programmes
At the Young Onset Dementia Collective (YODC), our programmes are built on a simple but powerful belief: a diagnosis of younger onset dementia does not define a person’s value, identity, or potential. Too often, people living with YOD are placed into systems designed for a different stage of life—where expectations are lowered, opportunities are limited, and participation is replaced with passive care.
We are here to change that.
Our programmes are designed to re-establish what should never be lost—purpose, connection, contribution, and belonging. They are grounded in real life, not clinical settings. Whether through volunteering, work-style activities, social experiences, or enrichment opportunities, each programme creates space for people to show up as themselves, to be part of a team, and to continue living with meaning.
This is not about “keeping busy.” It’s about restoring identity. It’s about creating environments where people are seen for what they can do—not what they’ve lost.
Every YODC programme is shaped by lived experience. We understand the challenges - of diagnosis, of systems that don’t fit, of navigating change as individuals and as whanau. That understanding drives everything we do. It’s why our programmes are age-appropriate, flexible, and built around the interests, strengths, and energy of those who attend.
Together, we are redefining what it means to live with younger onset dementia.
Not as a story of decline, but as one of continued participation, connection, and possibility.
Please explore the snapshot of our programmes below —each one a pathway to purpose, community, and a life that still has so much to offer.
Programmes
YODC Impact Collective – Purpose, Dignity and teamwork in action
The Young Onset Dementia Collective (YODC) Volunteers group is built on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, connect, and feel valued—regardless of diagnosis.
CLICK HERE for more information
YODC Retro Lounge Sessions — a space to simply be.
Set within our Retro Lounge, this is not your typical programme. There’s no fixed agenda — just good music, easy conversation, shared moments, and activities shaped around the people in the room.
CLICK HERE for more information
YODC Enrichment Programme
The Young Onset Dementia Collective’s Enrichment Programme is designed to do exactly what the name suggests — enrich the everyday lives of people living with younger onset dementia in ways that are meaningful, age-appropriate, and deeply human.
CLICK HERE for more information
YODC Six Pallets Working Group
The Six Pallets Working Group is a purpose-driven, work-style programme designed for people living with younger onset dementia. It creates opportunities for meaningful contribution through practical, hands-on tasks in real-world environments.
CLICK HERE for more information
If you’re interested in joining a Young Onset Dementia Collective programme, the first step is simply to reach out.
We welcome expressions of interest from people living with dementia, as well as their whanau and supporters, who are looking for something more—more connection, more purpose, more opportunity to be part of everyday life in a way that feels meaningful and age-appropriate.
Based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, our programmes operate across a number of locations and settings. Because many of our activities are intentionally small, hands-on, and supported by volunteers, places can be limited. For that reason, we ask that all new participants register their interest so we can understand individual needs, interests, and any support requirements. This also allows us to match people to the programmes that will best suit them and ensure a safe, positive experience for everyone involved.
Inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do.
While our focus is on younger onset dementia, we recognise that 65 is only a number. There are many people over 65 who are physically well, socially active, and young at heart—but who find themselves out of place in traditional age-based services. If our programmes feel like a better fit, you are welcome here.
We take a flexible, person-led approach. That means working alongside you and your whanau to explore what participation looks like—whether that’s joining independently, attending with support, or easing in gradually. We also understand that practical considerations like transport can be a barrier, and where possible, we will work with you to find solutions.
To express your interest, simply get in touch with us via our website or email. From there, we’ll arrange a conversation to learn more about you, answer any questions, and help you take the next step into the YODC community.
Because this isn’t just about programmes.
It’s about finding your place again—and being part of something that truly fits.
CONTACT – contact@yod.co.nz
(Remember to include the name or names of the group programme with your enquiry.)
OR Send us a MESSAGE via our FACEBOOK page - https://www.facebook.com/yodcollective/