Rianna Patterson, a Dominican youth who has been one of the country’s foremost advocates for dementia, has graduated from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom with a bachelor’s degree in psychology which will better equip her to continue her advocacy.
She completed her studies at the Dominica State College where she obtained an Associate’s degree in Psychology. She is also the founding member of the Dominica State College Psychology Club. In 2016, Patterson 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 on dementia.
She received the Queen’s Young Leader award from her Majesty the Queen in June 2017 for her commitment to dementia advocacy.
Ms. Patterson’s approach to making dementia a health priority in Dominica has included building consensus and convening decision-makers on a regional and international level to promote public health and dementia to key stakeholders. She was also part of developing the youth arm of the National Council on Ageing in Dominica and provided key recommendations for the national policy on ageing to the Government of Dominica. She has also published two academic research pieces on dementia in Dominica and on the impact of Dementia Gardens in the UK. These articles were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Journal in 2017.
During university, Ms. Patterson 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. She was appointed Social Media Officer in 2018 and Vice President in 2019, of the Kent Caribbean Union .
In February 2019, Patterson 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.
The young advocate also served twice as a Student Representative for the Department of Psychology at the University of Kent. In that role, she acted as a pathway between students and staff members at the university.
After her grandmother passed away in May 2019 – in Patterson’s 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. She was awarded the Employability award by the University of Kent.
After graduating, Ms. Patterson 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.
Patterson is committed to tackling ageism in the media and 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 come from Dominica and Barbados.
Ms. Patterson has also launched a social good coaching business with the support of the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme. She provides 1:1 coaching to purpose-led organizations and individuals. She says she’s also a proud ambassador of the Prince’s Trust to which she plans to attract young people and to share 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,” Ms. Patterson recounts. “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.
She currently works as an 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.
She is also working with the Dominica Dementia Foundation and the Ministry of Health in Dominica to develop a National Plan for dementia in Dominica.
Ms. Patterson who was raised in Picard, Commonwealth of Dominica, is the daughter of Sheryl Vidal, granddaughter of the late Terry Vidal who was originally from Salisbury and the late Evelyn Vidal from Colihaut.
Congratulations on your journey, young African queen. May the ancestors continue to inspire and guide you.
Bravo!!! Congratulations on your achievement. Dementia and mental illness have impacted so many. One cannot begin to understand the toll it takes not just on the inflicted but their care givers. You are truly inspiring. May the Lord continue to bless you and yours in your endeavors
Very well done my dear. Keep on keeping on. Bless you.
Congratulations Rianna, it is wonderful to see the newly emerging generation of young Dominicans achieving in the passions and professions that inspire them, then hopefully returning home to practice their skills to the benefit of our Dominican community.
She didn’t well finish graduate but ahh tor tot showing a reddy. She done reddy aredy. Ehh!!
Where you see tortot I only see a beautiful woman, keep your shirt on perv
Skerrit have them all rapped up on his fingers. See the amount of “smart” Dominicans who are helping Skerrit do his dirty work. Dominica hasn’t got work for you unless Skerrit comes knocking at your door, or you on his. Then you have to be a Laborite. That’s the way it is in Dominica. No ifs and no buts. Unless you have a Godly conscience and good morals; then you’ll join the band. It’s like an old band we use to have in Dominica called, “Music Lovers.” They were always in need of people to join their band. The more jobs Skerrit himself gives you is the more votes he gathers. So I don’t praise no graduates because I see their spineless, jellyfish, jello-like mannerisms in their effort to help Skerrit shake down Dominica. See dem crooked lawyers? Dem graduated too we! And what dem do? Steal, cheat and lie.
Well done my dear!! Congratulations. Keep up the good work. Dementia is truly something not enough attention is paid to.
Congratulations to you young lady having graduated from the UK university of Kent it will open many doors for you in the UK, Europe, Dominica and more God bless
Congrats young lady. Only up from here. All the best!
Congratulations! Keep reaching for higher heights.
Congratulations Rianna on your numerous achievements. You are a shining example of a motivated young adult , talented and ready to make your mark in the world. Keep moving upwards my dear.
Well known by who? Her mother and father ?
Whaat,, didn’t you read her bio? For a person who has blurted so many good things about the bigot Trump you can’t add a nice word to this story?
How many people visit Dominica News Online? Ok, now, Ms. Patterson has an article, do you? No. By default, more people already know her than your irrelevant ass
Congratulations Rianna! Just ignore this person. Jealousy will eat them alive
You see the amount of thumbs down you get for asking an honest question:
“known by who?”
This is the first time I personally come to the knowledge that this person existed, had it not be for DNO she would have remained an unknown.
You see Dominicans like to make a big deal when they hear someone graduate with a degree in some thing.
Now look at the way it is in the United States, and Canada.
“What are the job opportunities for a bachelor’s degree in psychology?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that job opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders are limited. The College Majors Handbook reports that fewer than 25 percent of people with a bachelor’s degree in psychology find work in jobs that are closely related to their college major.”
The associate in science in psychology is practically useless; that is only part of the prerequisite that is required to major in psychology.
I am not putting her down because she can now peruse a Ph .D which allow her…
In other words we are just cheap labor for the rich?
I do not think it is so much cheap labor for the rich; but education is as such if one is not careful what discipline they take, that degree can become useless.
Here is an example, I worked for an Engineering Company at one time: a young lady came looking for a job, before the application was filled out, the reviewer asks the lady do you have a degree?
Yes, she replied, the interviewer asks her in what discipline!
She replied, “Home economics.”
The interviewer told her, your degree can’t help you here, we are into electronics!
So, this is what home economics is about: cooking and other aspects of household management domestic work.
As far as I am concern this young lady simply acquired the prerequisites to move on to another eight years to becoming a medical psychiatrists!
Right now she cannot treat nor even council any patients with psychological nor mental issues.
She should be aiming for a Ph. D in psychology!
She can become an MD.
@ Magwa ca, please don’t be negative. Great job Ms. Patterson. Kudos University of Kent….my alma mater.
Congratulations! Best wishes in your future endeavors. Representing Dominica 🇩🇲 767. Is a good thing. We’re all about Patriots making a Difference. Upwards movements, has its Detractors. Pay no mind. Focus!! Focus! Focus.