On Friday 5 March at 11.30am, a brand new Dementia Resource Centre will open in East Clyde Street, Helensburgh to support people with dementia, their carers, families and friends.
The launch will be attended by local MSP Jackie Baillie, Provost William Petrie OBE and Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland. The Centre has been made possible thanks to a grant of almost £10,000 from BIG Lottery’s Awards for All scheme, successfully applied for by the Helensburgh Branch of Alzheimer Scotland.
Alzheimer Scotland launched its Dementia Advisor network in November 2009. The Helensburgh Branch, which was formed two years ago, has taken the opportunity to work with their local Dementia Advisor, Victoria McLeod, by providing trained volunteers and the Dementia Resources Centre to support her service. Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisors -
- Will be a local point of contact for people with dementia and their families and friends; from diagnosis to end-of-life.
- Will provide support to local communities to help them become more dementia friendly and increase the opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to participate in community life.
- Will provide information to help people with dementia and their carers to plan ahead – particularly in relation to money and legal matters and plans for future welfare.
- Will empower people with dementia and their carers to access the information they need, promoting independence, self-help, well-being, choice and control.
The Centre will also be a resource for information about dementia for the general public, care homes and health authorities, while at the same time promoting opportunities for volunteering. It has been decorated and furnished in a homely style, thanks to the efforts of Branch members, their families and friends. A warm welcome will be given to those with dementia, carers and the local community; activities will be arranged and a programme of external events will be organised.
Volunteer members of the Branch have already started a training programme organised by Alzheimer Scotland. The local Branch is now recruiting volunteers and anyone interested is invited to call in at the Centre for more information. There will also be an open day on Tuesday 9 March (2-7pm), so that members of the public can view the Centre.
Notes:
Dementia affects approximately 73,000 people in Scotland.
By 2031, this will rise to 130,000.
7,000 people are diagnosed with dementia every year.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.
Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:
- speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
- operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
- provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
- provides the website www.alzscot.org;
- supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
- provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
- publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date
- has a research programme.
Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 3000
Website address: www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee and is recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue. Registered Office: 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN. Registered in Scotland 149069 Scottish Charity No. SC022315
