Using illustrative case examples, in this paper we explore the friendships of people with dementia in the early stages of the condition and the benefits of looking beyond the family as the 'go to' support network that practitioners tend to focus on in their work with people with dementia. The importance of participatory approaches in both research and practice for understanding the friendship experiences of people with dementia is highlighted. The case studies include a personal narrative on friendships from one of the authors, a person living with dementia. This is followed by an account of a peer support group for people with dementia where the interactions in the group are explored alongside consideration of the significance and outcomes of creating such social spaces for people with dementia. We pay particular attention to the emerging phenomenon of 'facilitated friendships' as practitioners work to support collective agency on the part of people with dementia.

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This article outlines the development of the Open Doors network facilitator post in Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. The post is unique in the NHS in that it is led and facilitated by Mike Howorth, a person with Alzheimer’s disease. This article outlines the self-growth and wellbeing experiences of Mike as he re-entered the workforce in his early 80s after 15 years of retirement. Being the Open Doors network facilitator has provided Mike with new challenges and opportunities in his life, including facing up to, and overcoming, a life-long fear of public speaking. The achievements of the post are shared within Mike’s overall story of his own wellbeing, as well as his ambitions for the post in the future.