Rianna Patterson, founder of the Dominica Dementia Foundation has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kent.
Rianna completed her studies at the Dominica State College where she obtained an Associates degree in Psychology. She is also the founding member of the Dominica State College Psychology Club. In 2016, Rianna took a gap year to focus on launching the Dominica Dementia Foundation at 18, in memory of her grandfather who passed away with Dementia in Dominica. The Dominica Dementia Foundation is a youth-led dementia charity that supports families and care homes affected by Dementia. The foundation also facilitates research towards Dementia. Rianna received the Queen’s Young Leader award by her Majesty the Queen in June 2017 for her commitments to Dementia advocacy.
Building consensus and convening decision-makers on a regional and international level on public health and dementia promotion, to key stakeholders has been Rianna’s approach to making dementia a health priority in Dominica. Rianna was also part of developing the youth arm of the National Council on Aging in Dominica and provided key recommendations to the National Policy on Aging to the Government of Dominica.
Ms.Patterson has also published two academic research pieces on Dementia in Dominica as well as the impact of Dementia Gardens in the UK. This was published by Alzheimers & Journal in 2017. Rianna also spoke on the TEDx stage at the University of Kent, on the “The Youth in You” which was inspired by her grandfather.
During university Rianna continued to contribute to the Caribbean as she collaborated with Kent Caribbean Union executive to organize a fundraising event as a response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. Rianna was also appointed Social Media Officer in 2018 and Vice President of the Kent Caribbean Union in 2019. Ms.Patterson was also the winner of the Miss Wob Dwiyet show, hosted by the Waitukubuli Culture & Tourism Initiative (WCTI) in England.
In February 2019, Rianna launched Dominica Youth UK with her friend Sagesse Charles to promote Dominican culture in the UK. They’ve hosted networking events and have been an ample voice for young Dominicans abroad. This platform has reached over 4000 people to date.
Rianna also served twice as a Student Representative for the Department of Psychology at the University of Kent. In this role she acted as a pathway between students and staff members at the University.
Rianna’s grandmother passed away in May 2019 in her second year of University. She requested a concession and pursued her exams during the summer of 2019. She formally graduated in 2020, however due to COVID restrictions was unable to have a formal in-person graduation until 2022. Rianna was awarded the Employability award by the University of Kent.
After graduating Rianna secured an internship as a Marketing lead at a tech start-up in Kent in 2020. She joined the board of directors as a trustee at Age UK Hythe in 2021 and was also invited as a non-executive board member for Vana Trust.
Rianna is committed to tackling ageism in the media, has successfully raised over £3000 to produce a documentary film on Dementia in the Caribbean that will include stories from people with Dementia and their families who originate from Dominica and Barbados.
Rianna has also launched a social good coaching business with the support of the Princes Trust Enterprise Programme. Rianna provides 1:1 coaching to purpose led organizations and individuals. She has spoken on topics such as authenticity to senior leaders at leading organizations such as HSBC. Rianna is also a proud ambassador of the Prince’s Trust where she will be bringing young people to the Trust and sharing her story and the impact of their programmes on a national level.
“When I look back at my journey, I take a lot of strength from it. There were days I wasn’t extremely motivated, especially when my grandmother passed away. I was very close to giving up but I had God, advisors, coaches, counselors and my family supporting me along the way. They’ve shaped the person that I am today. I’m grateful for every helping hand I’ve received on this journey. I hope that my story will inspire a young person to achieve their ambitious goals and life experiences despite the barriers they may face. Your age and circumstance is a superpower, not a limitation. Life was meant for living, always remember to have fun, give back and make sure your mental health is top priority.”
Ms.Patterson is a recent finalist of the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Development Excellence in the Caribbean Region.
Rianna currently works as a Employment Support Advisor for a UK social enterprise. In this role she supports adults over 45 to secure self-employment, work and personal development opportunities.
Rianna is also working with the Dominica Dementia Foundation and the Ministry of Health in Dominica to develop a National Plan for Dementia in Dominica. She also worked with the Dominica Statistical Office to include Dementia in the National Census in 2022.
Rianna was raised in Picard, Commonwealth of Dominica. She is the daughter of Sheryl Vidal, granddaughter of the late Terry Vidal who was originally from Salisbury and the late Evelyn Vidal from Colihaut.
