Life Beyond Memory
Dementia is more than memory loss
We focus on connection, creativity, and collective support — holding space for people to live fully, with dignity and real quality of life. The world is richer when everyone can live fully, right where they are.
What We Stand For
Inclusion is our core principle: when everyone belongs, communities thrive, wellbeing grows, and support is stronger for all. At Be in the World, we believe life after a dementia diagnosis should remain rich with meaning, connection, and joy.
We stand against the stigma, isolation and quiet exclusion that too often accompany dementia — shifting the climate of fear through clear information and empathetic engagement.
We uphold the dignity, humanity and rights of people living with dementia. Everyone has the right to participate in their community, and to continue shaping their own lives. We believe in supporting the people already doing the work, and the everyday acts of care that hold communities together.
We honour the value of all marginalised people, including the youth. We also believe intergenerational connection is critical for a healthy community, one that genuinely serves its residents of all ages.
We stand against ageism, along with all the other isms that continue to characterise our post-apartheid society. Respect for the perspectives, preferences and rights of all citizens is what creates a thriving, liveable city.
We are committed to helping build a dementia-friendly culture — where difference is embraced and new social connections are celebrated.
Only with genuine inclusion can people living with dementia truly Be in the World.
The Approach
Building on our core values, our plans focus on enabling inclusive dementia-friendly communities and networks of support through flexible, locally-led initiatives. More sustainable than models developed outside, this asset-based approach promotes the use of local skills, talents and resources. It also makes for a better fit between local priorities and what actually happens on the ground.
Quality of life for families living with dementia can only be enhanced in collaboration with a broad spectrum of community roleplayers.
The Plans
Community-Led Experiences and Events
Local groups will be supported by
Be In The World to create their own dementia-friendly activities, drawing on their unique interests, priorities and assets. Shaping activities organically ensures ongoing relevance and sustainability.
Collaboration With
Local Professionals
Wherever possible, we will involve local activity providers, care workers, training facilitators and counsellors. If certain expertise can’t be sourced in an area we’ll seek ways to bring in the skills needed, while keeping community voices central.
Flexible Support Models
Recognizing resource constraints, our initial focus will be on supporting pilot groups and pop-up events rather than establishing permanent drop-in centres. As local partnerships and sponsorships grow, more structured hubs may emerge over time.
Capacity Building and Training
We aim to promote information and training opportunities not only for family caregivers but also for community-based activity providers, group exercise facilitators and community members to increase dementia awareness and care skills.
Peer Support and Practical Guidance
The development of peer-to-peer support networks along with the promotion of practical information sharing and creative engagement boosts resilience and helps restore a crucial sense of belonging. This begins with a pilot project in each community, and grows from there.
Continuous Evaluation
and Growth
Gathering feedback and suggestions from both participants and activity providers is hugely valuable. This allows us to monitor the impact of the various initiatives, report back to our sponsors, and adapt the approach to meet the evolving priorities and interests of families.
Advocacy for Inclusive Communities
We champion environments that are accessible, supportive and welcoming to everyone—no matter their age or cognitive ability. Through collaboration with local councillors, businesses, service providers and community groups, we promote respect, real-world accessibility and genuine inclusion.
Partnerships
For Wider Impact
We are actively exploring synergies with other non-profits in the sector to enhance impact, share resources, and strengthen engagement. Through networking, Be in the World strives to support those who already make a difference. Working to strengthen what's there always beats starting from scratch.
By centering local stories and assets, we stay grounded in communities and adapt to changing realities — so those most affected by dementia can truly Be in the World.
Our Future
We’re a tiny organisation with a big idea – our ‘Theory of Change’ requires everyone to lay a part. A truly dementia-friendly society can’t be achieved by a handful of dedicated people or a desire for change, however heartfelt.
When a whole community is involved, we will see a shift in culture, one that embraces those living with dementia along with everyone else.
The Team
We are grassroots organizers, family caregivers, social workers, care professionals, artists, entertainers, small business owners, friends and neighbours — a diverse team united by relationships and commitment to forge a fresh kind of support network. Our teams draw on assets unique to each community.
Be in the World has no affiliation with any organised religion or political party.
Our board brings together passionate advocates and creative thinkers committed to reimagining dementia support. We believe that a better quality of life with cognitive impairment is possible, provided we shift our culture to put the person before the diagnosis. Policy commitment to prioritise care in the community needs to be matched with resources and practical change on the ground if the stated goal of 'ageing in place' is to move beyond a slogan and hold real meaning.
Board Members
Linda Pithers brings a wealth of experience — from NGO and academic freelancing to hospitality — and, most recently, firsthand insight as a primary caregiver. She holds an MPhil in Development Management from the University of the Western Cape’s School of Government in Cape Town.
Becoming primary caregiver to her life partner revealed the harsh realities of exclusion and stigma, highlighting the chronic deficits in community-based support for families living with dementia. Fuelled by a deep commitment to human rights and social justice, Linda founded the non-profit Be in the World: Life Beyond Memory in 2024 to build stronger community networks and foster greater understanding for everyone affected by dementia.
A professional life in residential nursing, both overseas and at home in Cape Town, has given Karen Sayers a drive to pursue new directions in her work of caring for others. A firm believer in alternative approaches in dementia care and support, Karen is keen to explore how social and creative stimulation impacts quality of life in the mid to later stages of dementia, and how this contributes to the development of more meaning and purpose in the lives of those affected.
Karen favours the development of creative initiatives to specifically address the interests of family-based caregivers who perform the bulk of dementia and other care work, largely without the training and information to help navigate the demands of their challenging role.
A qualified nurse practitioner, David Sayers' work has focused around residential care facility management with a special interest in boosting skills and changing the culture of care provided to those living with dementia.
With the hands-on role David plays in nurturing person-centred empathetic approaches through his own training agency, and the position he currently holds with Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged (CPOA), he strives to create a ‘centre of excellence’ in specialised dementia care. He recently turned his attention to the needs of family-based caregivers, and would like to see the quality of home-based care elevated alongside residential.
As founder and CEO of Geratec, Rayne Stroebel is committed to improving long-term care through innovative, compassionate solutions. As regional coordinator for Eden Alternative, he promotes care models emphasizing community, autonomy, and meaningful relationships.
Rayne further expresses his dedication to changing the narrative on ageing through his executive membership of the International Longevity Centre South Africa, and as Extraordinary Professor of Practice at North West University. Holding a PhD in Dementia Studies, his career focus is the advocacy of dignity, respect, and a better quality of life for people living with dementia.
NPO Code Of Governance
Be In The World is guided by The Independent Code of Governance for Non-profit Organisations in South Africa. We're committed to upholding high standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical practice in all our work.
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We prioritise the safety, dignity, and privacy of every individual, with clear policies to protect all personal information and other data, and ensure a safer environment for all. Download our POPI policy document to read more on how we achieve this.
Founded in 2024,
Be In The World is based in Cape Town, South Africa
NPO
Registration:
319-786 NPO
Contact Us
admin@beintheworld.org
+27 71 178 0156