Caribbean BrainBarbados
Connecting brain health, innovation and economic resilience
Barbados's contribution asks how brain health can become part of development planning—not only a healthcare concern. The programme connects life-course community activities with discussion of the resources and partnerships needed to strengthen prevention, care and support.
Locally led research and an emerging health-innovation ecosystem offer foundations. The question is what enables evidence and promising ideas to translate into dependable provision: appropriate validation, workforce capability, workable financing, clear responsibilities and equitable access.
Tourism and other employers also belong in the conversation—as potential partners in workforce wellbeing, support for employees with caring responsibilities, and services responsive to changing needs. The inaugural Summit offers a starting point for practical collaboration and sustained regional learning, without assuming that future partnerships or hosting arrangements are already agreed.
Explore the programme
Browse the confirmed Barbados activities below. Some are open to the public; others require registration, selection or an invitation. Check each listing for local time, location and access arrangements before making plans.
Times are in Barbados time.
Community
Monday 16 November 06:00–07:00
Barbados Alzheimer's Association — Brain Health Relay
Television/YouTube
Barbados Alzheimer’s Association (Kaila Branch) and members of the Caribbean Brain Health Summit team (Kimberley Benjamin and Dr. Melanie Taylor-John) featured in a 15-min slot on Mornin’ Barbados television (CBC Channel 8/YouTube) programme, which commences at 6:00 a.m.
Life-course
Monday 16 November 08:45–11:30
Brain Health in Schools — Springer Memorial School
Springer Memorial School, Government Hill, St Michael, Barbados
A proposed school-based contribution hosted by the Barbados Alzheimer's Association, introducing brain-health awareness in a school setting with content agreed with Springer Memorial School. A school-based activity, not an open public event.
Family & Caregivers
Tuesday 17 November 19:30–21:00
Understanding the legal aspects of brain conditions: from Autism to Dementia and more
Online
Barbados Brain Health Relay contribution. This online conversation featuring Magistrate Jared Richards explores the legal aspects of neurological conditions, from autism to dementia and beyond. Designed with caregivers in mind, the session will examine autonomy, decision-making and the importance of protecting dignity across the lifecourse. The conversation aims to encourage informed choices and equip Barbadian families with practical knowledge to navigate the most complex care decisions.
Policy & Investment
Wednesday 18 November 18:00–20:00
A Strategic Investment in Brain Health and Healthy Ageing in Barbados at 60 +5
Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St Michael, Barbados
How can financing choices help create the conditions for better brain health and support as populations age? This in-person panel will connect Barbados’s financing and development discussions with practical questions about prevention, care, workforce capability and family support. The conversation will explore how financing opportunities might translate into useful programmes and services, what evidence and delivery arrangements are needed, and which questions deserve further attention. Confirmed contributors include the Hon. Minister Ryan Straughn, M.P. (Minister of Finance), Jeremy Stephens (economist), Dr. Simeona Jacinta (neurologist), Laura Burnett (Programme Officer (Ag.), Bureau of Gender Affairs, Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs), and Christine Franklyn (caregiver), with Kaila Branch as moderator.
Life-course
Thursday 19 November 14:00–15:00
Baby & Mom Brain Health Information Pack Handover
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
The activity will share peer reviewed brain health information with healthcare professionals and moms at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and connect the resource with the Summit’s wider life-course approach to brain health. The small information pack is the start of a larger project to supply moms with a comprehensive yet easy-to-use brain health resource.
Family & Caregivers
Thursday 19 November 16:00–17:15
Health Hub with Dr Kia Lewis — Caregiver Perspectives
Radio station: Voice of Barbados (VOB) 92.9 FM
The discussion will bring caregiver perspectives into Barbados’s Caribbean Brain Health Summit programme, creating space to consider everyday experiences, support needs and the connections that families rely on. The contribution will link public understanding with practical questions about where support is available, what remains difficult and what could be improved. Guests: Cherrise McClean (caregiver of person living with autism), Shari Inniss-Grant (remote caregiver of two persons living with dementia) and Dr. Melanie Taylor-John (CBHS Barbados team member).
Community
Thursday 19 November 18:30
Barbados: Brain, Memory & Resilience Challenge 2026 — Brain Health Relay
Online
Memory, Identity, Inclusion and Resilience Celebrate Barbados's heritage, challenge your knowledge and explore how we can build a more inclusive, prepared community. Join the Barbados Alzheimer's Association, in collaboration with the Barbados Department of Emergency Management and The University of the West Indies Disaster Risk Reduction Centre, for an online trivia competition forming part of the Caribbean Brain Health Summit's Brain Health Relay. Marking 60 years of Independence and five years as a Republic, the challenge connects national identity and community knowledge with brain health, inclusion and preparedness. Take part in four rounds, with prizes to be won: Barbados History, Culture & Resilience; Republic, Civic Knowledge & Preparedness; Memory Lane & Community Preparedness; and Brain Health & Inclusive Resilience. Join as an individual or an organisation/team. Persons living with neurological conditions, caregivers, families, health professionals, students, volunteers and supporters are welcome. Beyond the competition, the invitation is to consider how families, organisations and communities can help make preparedness and participation more inclusive. For competition details and team arrangements, contact the Barbados Alzheimer's Association on +1 (246) 234-6853 or barbadosalzheimersassociation@gmail.com. This is a community learning activity, not a clinical memory assessment or diagnostic test.
Family & Caregivers
Friday 20 November 09:00–10:00
The Equity Podcast — Caregiver Perspectives on Neurological Conditions
Online
An episode of The Equity Podcast on YouTube, hosted by Grant Longwe, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, featuring caregivers of people living with neurological conditions.
Community
Saturday 21 November 11:30
Thunbergia Planting Ceremony and Memory Blooms: A Garden Stroll for Brain Health
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
A Thunbergia planting ceremony and garden stroll for brain health at Andromeda Botanic Gardens, featuring the Caregiver Support Group of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association and friends. Hosted by Andromeda Botanic Gardens and the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association.
Community
Saturday 21 November 15:00–17:00
Brain Health Toastmasters Speeches — Les Chalk
Online
A Toastmasters contribution in which members deliver speeches on brain-health-related topics, bringing local perspectives and accessible communication into the programme. Private - closed members’meeting.
Barbados gallery
Local hosts and contributors
The Barbados Alzheimer's Association has helped make this contribution possible, drawing on its established networks to support media engagement and connections with family caregivers.
Each activity listing identifies its host and contributors. These roles are specific to the activity; taking part does not automatically imply endorsement by an individual's employer or by another institution.
Meet the country team
The people bringing Barbados's contribution together.
Ms Kimberley Benjamin
Dr Melanie Taylor-John
Dr Desrine Bogle
Ms Kaila Branch
Priorities to develop together
The following is an emerging discussion focus for the country team, not an adopted national position. We welcome experience and evidence that can help test and refine it.
The question
How can research, innovation, community relationships and financing connect around a manageable priority, while addressing gaps between public, private and community provision?
- Strengths to build on
- Clinical, research, legal, community and innovation perspectives, together with established advocacy networks.
- A possible local next step
- Identify one priority for further scoping, the evidence needed, and the organisations or disciplines that should join the next conversation.
- Where regional cooperation could help
- Comparative learning, diaspora expertise and appropriate technical or institutional connections.
Find your way to take part
Stay connected: express interest in future work if you cannot contribute during this November's programme.
Beyond Summit week
The intention is to carry forward useful priorities, relationships and agreed next steps—not only repeat the events. Further work will depend on the people, responsibilities, resources and permissions agreed. Expressing interest does not create a commitment to organise an activity or join a project.
Interested in wider conversations? Explore the shared online programme and other country contributions. Please use the appropriate local service's contact route for immediate care enquiries; Summit registration is not a clinical referral service.
About this contribution
These activities form part of the Caribbean Brain Health Summit 2026, convened by Amagi Health. Local hosts lead their own agreed activities. For the current regional programme and ways to participate, visit amagisummit.org.
Help build a stronger regional response
Back a Caribbean-led movement for brain health, dementia and family care.
Donate