Sarah Smith’s account of how her family coped with dementia is the subject of her acclaimed book ‘Because I Know Who He Is.’ Sarah’s father William "Bill" Mann, CBE was a Dalmuir born philanthropist who devoted most of his life to helping good causes, Bill was also a Veteran and was cared for, in his later years, by Erskine Veterans Charity until his death in 2019. Sarah feels her experience has given her an understanding of what others may go through although she is keen to emphasise everyone’s journey is different. ‘Because I Know Who He Is’ details the overwhelming changes and emotions experienced when a loved one lives with dementia. 

I am delighted to be the first Family Ambassador to Erskine. When my dad Bill entered the Glasgow Home In December 2017 I was told that “not only do we have a duty of care to Bill, but the whole family”, and that duty of care allowed me to gain a greater understanding of dementia with every question being answered, so my brothers and I never felt alone.