Jo Crossland

As Head of Nursing, Care & Dementia for Care UK, Jo Crossland works collaboratively with colleagues to develop the dementia and lifestyle strategies that ensure the highest standards of care delivery to over 10,000 residents. Jo is a visible role model to nursing and care colleagues, supporting a consistent and sustainable approach that embeds evidence-based practice.

Jo's journey started with a week-long work experience placement in a local care home at 15. Jo had always wanted to be a nurse, and after two years working in the home, she moved on to nursing studies. During her training, her grandad developed dementia, which while tough, sparked her interest in dementia care. She then spent ten years nursing in care homes, deepening her passion. Wanting to make a bigger difference, she completed an additional mental health nurse training, followed by a BSc and a Master’s in Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford whilst working in an NHS Metal Health Trust. That led to five and a half years working at Bradford University as a Practice Development Consultant and Trainer where she trained care workers across the UK and internationally. Since, then she has taken on various roles at different care companies. Now, Jo is in the final year of her PhD, researching the experience of families supporting loved ones with dementia as they move to live in a care home.