Scots, young and old, come together for Dementia Awareness Week

18 May 2015 10:50 AM

An innovative project offering companionship to older people with dementia is one of 15 across Scotland sharing in £580,259 of Young Start funding. The award of  £49,998 to Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia is announced at the start of Dementia Awareness Week (18 to 25 May) and will be delivered across Glasgow and West Lothian.

Run by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, Young Start awards money from dormant bank and building society accounts to support a range of projects that help young people aged eight to 24 reach their full potential.

Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia will deliver a befriending project where 50 young volunteers will attend care homes to offer companionship to older people with dementia. This will include young people experimenting with iPads and iPods as a way to encourage personal musical memories and also to connect with family members using skype who are unable to visit their older relatives. 

Jennifer Hawksworth, Volunteer Co-ordinator for Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia,said:  “This grant is a fantastic opportunity to continue and extend the work we are already doing with young people and care home residents with dementia in Glasgow and West Lothian. Engagement with young people provides immeasurable pleasure to people with dementia and they are able to provide such fascinating insights into their own young lives, which were so very different than they are today.”

Chair of Big Lottery Fund Scotland, Maureen McGinn, said: “Today’s funding will help young people unlock their talents and support them to realise their potential.  The Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia project is a great example of strengthening connections between the generations.  Young people will build confidence and gain a greater appreciation of older people with dementia in a care home environment. This will not only have a positive impact for young people but it will also improve the quality of lives of people living with dementia.”

A list of other projects which have received funding today is available here.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 0141 242 1484  
Website:                                    www.biglotteryfund.org.uk  
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