“We knew something had to change”
When we spoke to Carole from Wendover Dementia Support, it quickly became clear this wasn’t just a story about switching systems.
It was a story about growth – and what happens when your tools don’t grow with you.
“We had outgrown what we were using”
Carole had only recently stepped into her role when she found herself right in the middle of a big decision.
Their existing database had once done the job. It had been built specifically for them, and for a time, it worked. But not anymore.
As the organisation grew, the cracks started to show. It wasn’t flexible, it wasn’t keeping up, and conversations had already started about building something new from scratch.
“We had a very outdated bespoke database that was no longer fit for purpose that we had outgrown.”
At the same time, Carole was looking into accounting systems like Xero – and that’s when infoodle first came onto her radar.
“What if we didn’t have to rebuild everything?”
Instead of continuing down the path of creating a new database, Carole brought infoodle into the conversation.
She looped in Cheryl, their Admin Assistant – someone who knew the old system inside and out – and together they started exploring whether this could actually work for them.
It didn’t take long to realise… it could. And more than that – it already did.
From ‘a database’ to ‘how we run everything’
What started as a solution to one problem quickly became something much bigger. Today, infoodle sits at the centre of how Wendover Dementia Support operates.
They’re using:
- CRM to hold sensitive visitor and family information
- Events to manage rotas, calendars, and their Monday café
- Library to store everything from governance documents to insurance and fundraising records
But the real shift isn’t in the features – it’s in what those features enable.
“Infoodle has made an enormous difference to the way we work and control our data.”
“These aren’t just records – they’re people’s journeys”
The work WDS does is deeply personal. They support people living with dementia and their families – often over long, complex, and emotional journeys.
So their data isn’t just names and contact details.
It’s:
- First enquiries
- Home visits
- Café attendance
- Family support
- Crisis moments
- End-of-life transitions
Before, that picture was hard to see in full.
Now, it’s all connected.
“Our visitors are key and their needs and dementia journey is well documented from their first enquiry… through to leaving us.”
One comment stood out in particular. Their Chairman – a retired GP – compared their use of infoodle to NHS patient record systems.
For a charity handling sensitive, real-life journeys, that level of confidence matters.
“It’s not just about saving time”
When we asked about time savings, Carole was honest – it’s not something they can easily measure. And actually, that’s because the impact looks different.
“With the ability to do so much more… our productivity is higher.”
They’re not just doing the same work faster.
They’re:
- Recording more meaningful information
- Staying more organised
- Communicating more effectively
The work has grown – but it’s more manageable.
Making things easier for volunteers
Like many charities, Wendover Dementia Support is powered by volunteers. That means any system they use has to be practical, not complicated.
At the moment, around 12 people use infoodle regularly, with others dipping in when needed.
But what really stood out is their approach:
They’re actively encouraging all volunteers to learn the basics.
“We are encouraging all volunteers to know the basic infoodle.”
It’s a small shift that makes a big difference. Knowledge isn’t held by one or two people – it’s shared, meaning the organisation is more stable, no matter who comes or goes.
“We feel more in control”
One of the biggest changes Carole talked about wasn’t technical – it was confidence.
“We like to be professional in everything we do and infoodle allows us to support our charity in the same way any successful organisation does.”
There’s a sense now that:
- Things are where they should be
- People can find what they need
- The system will keep up as they grow
And importantly – that the organisation can continue smoothly, even through change.
Looking ahead
WDS hasn’t fully tapped into reporting yet – but they know what’s coming.
With so much data already being captured, they’re in a strong position to:
- Support grant applications
- Demonstrate impact
- Make more informed decisions
They’ve already done the hard part – collecting the data properly.
Support that actually helps
For a volunteer-led team, having access to real support makes a difference.
“Your help desk and training sessions are invaluable…”
Not everyone wants to dig through guides – sometimes you just need someone to help you get unstuck.
So… would they recommend infoodle?
“YES – and I do.”
The real outcome
What Wendover Dementia Support gained wasn’t just a new system.
They moved from:
- A database they had outgrown to a system that grows with them
From:
- Scattered information to a clear, connected picture
And from:
- Uncertainty to confidence in how they operate every day
Which ultimately means they can focus on what matters most – supporting people and families through dementia, with care, clarity, and consistency.
