Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day 2026 #YODA #YODay

Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day 24 October 2026 – Ballina/ Byron Bay Book Now

Plant Hope. Grow Awareness.

One Lunch. One Conversation. One Global Community

DETAILS

PROGRAM*

📅 Saturday 24 October 2026

📍 Ballina RSL Club, Spinnakers and Anchorage

🕥 Registration: 10.30 am

🎤 Official Program: 11.00 am – 11.45 am

🥪 Complimentary Light Lunch & Networking: 11.45am- 13.00pm

Payment methods: This event is offered on a pay-what-you-feel basis. Please contribute an amount that feels right for you and reflects the value of the event. Every contribution helps us cover event costs and continue supporting people impacted by young onset dementia. Pay when you register or email us at admin@dementiainclusiveballina.org.au

Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Inc. is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia, and a receipt will be provided. Your contribution helps us continue supporting people living with young onset dementia, their families and carers.

Join us for the Ballina launch of Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day 2026 (#YODay #YODA)

Be part of an inspiring community event launching Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day 2026

#YODay began in the United Kingdom in 2023 through Dementia Forward and has grown into an international movement. In 2025, Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance introduced #YODA and #YODAY in Australia. This year, activities are expanding across four Australian states, with a vision of bringing communities together across Australia, the United Kingdom and beyond.

Join us to hear from people with lived experience, leading dementia researchers and community leaders as we explore how simple community conversations can increase understanding of young onset dementia and help you recognise symptoms early.

Whether you are just curious to learn more about young onset dementia, living with young onset dementia, a family member, carer, health professional, researcher, employer or community member, everyone is welcome.

Program

10.30 am

Registration

Tea and coffee on arrival.

11.00 am

Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country

11.02 am

Official Opening

(TBA)
Member for TBA

11.05 am

Carer - Living with Young Onset Dementia

Chris McNally

Chris will share her personal experience of caring for a person living with young onset dementia and why greater awareness and community understanding matter.

11.10 am

Growing International #YODay: From the UK to Australia and Beyond

Dr Sabrina Pit

Coordinator, Northern Rivers Young Onset Dementia Carer Support Group

Co-Founder of #YODay Australia

Discover how YODAY began in the United Kingdom, how it came to Australia, and how a simple idea is growing into an international movement built on awareness, collaboration and hope.

11.15 am

Keynote Address

Young Onset Dementia: Recognition, Understanding and Living Well

Dr Katya Numbers
Postdoctoral Researcher & Senior Lecturer, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of NSW, Sydney

Dr Katya Numbers is an internationally recognised dementia researcher whose work focuses on improving the lives of people living with dementia through research, communication and community engagement.

In this keynote presentation, Dr Numbers will explore current research on young onset dementia, challenge common misconceptions and discuss how communities can better recognise, understand and support people living with young onset dementia and their families.

11.35 am

The Wollemi Pine: A Symbol of Resilience, Hope and Connection

Professor Brent Summerell AM

Chief Scientist and Executive Director
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Discover the remarkable story of the Wollemi Pine, one of the world's oldest and rarest trees, and why it has become Australia's symbol of hope for YODAY, connecting communities across Australia and the United Kingdom.

11.45 am

Growing a Global Movement

A special message from Dementia Forward (United Kingdom), followed by an invitation to join the YODAY movement by hosting a community event on 24 October each year.

11.50 am

Complimentary Light Lunch & Networking

Meet our speakers, connect with people living with young onset dementia, families, carers, researchers, health professionals and community organisations, and continue the conversation over lunch.

Why International #YODay?

It can take years to receive the right diagnosis, which often can be confused with other mental health problems. Early diagnosis is critical for a better quality of life.

People living with young onset dementia often face challenges that differ from those diagnosed later in life, including:

• Remaining in employment

• Supporting children and families

• Financial pressures

• Accessing age-appropriate services

• Navigating health, disability and aged care systems

• Living with stigma and misunderstanding

#YODay encourages communities to come together, start conversations and increase awareness through one simple action, one convo or one event at a time.

Cost: FREE

Who should attend?

• You

• Change makers

• People with a heart

• People living with young onset dementia

• Families and carers

• The Media

• Health professionals

• Lawyers

• NDIS and social care professionals

• Researchers

• Students

• Employers

• Community organisations

• Schools

• Local government

• Anyone interested in helping us create more dementia-inclusive communities

Together let's...

🌳 Plant Hope.

☕ Grow Awareness.

🌍 Build One Global Community.

24 October 2026

International Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day

#YODA #YODAY

For more information contact:

admin@dementiainclusiveballina.org.au

Dr Sabrina Pit 04 29 45 5720

*Subject to change. Limited to 120 people.

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