A new dementia friendly health and well-being community initiative in Aberdeen has been given the go-ahead thanks to a funding boost of £80,000.
Aberdeen FC Community Trust, which is responsible for the development of community programmes associated with Aberdeen Football Club, already has a range of health and well-being programmes.
This funding will be used to develop activities such as walking football, gym activities, health walks and park based activities in Aberdeen public spaces, to make them dementia friendly. The project will promote good health, inclusion and learning and will also raise awareness of dementia within the wider community and provide respite opportunities for carers.
AFCCT is already part of the Dementia Friendly Communities Aberdeen Steering Group and actively engage with Alzheimer Scotland via the Football Memories Programme.
Their vision is to use this funding to significantly increase the numbers of people living with dementia taking part in positive sporting activities across Aberdeen.
Funding has come from the Life Changes Trust, an independent charity set up with a Big Lottery Fund endowment of £50 million to improve the lives of two key groups in Scotland: people affected by dementia and care experienced young people. The Trust will be investing £3million in 14 different dementia friendly communities over the next three years.
Chief Executive of AFCCT, Ally Prockter said, “Receiving this award is seen as a very important next step in our delivery of community programmes in the North East of Scotland. AFCCT already works in partnership on a number of initiatives which are ideally suited to allowing for greater integration by those living with dementia. Firmly establishing AFCCT as a ‘dementia friendly’ organisation is seen as a key part of our community work. We are fully committed to raising awareness regarding the many aspects of living with dementia, as well as providing much needed support and a bit of fun to those affected by it. AFCCT’s vision is to help “…change lives for the better”, and this award will allow us to do that.”
Anna Buchanan, Director of the Life Changes Trust dementia programme said, ‘Many people living with dementia stop taking part in activities that may have given them great pleasure in the past, or which allowed them to mix with their peers. Initiatives like these bring people together in a dementia friendly community of interest where they have opportunities to be part of something that is meaningful to them, as well participate in healthy, stimulating activities. Aberdeen FC Community Trust has already had great success with its groups in Aberdeen, and this funding will support the Network to make an even greater difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.’
In Scotland:
• It is estimated that around 88,000 people have dementia • The number of people with dementia in Scotland is increasing, because the population is getting older. Based on current dementia prevalence rates, the number of people with dementia in Scotland is projected to double by 2038*. • Much of that financial burden falls on family carers and friends, who may also experience social isolation, exhaustion and health problems associated with the demands of caring. • Dementia costs the country more than cancer, heart disease and stroke put together.
The Life Changes Trust is committed to funding and supporting the development of Dementia Friendly Communities across Scotland and to supporting transformational improvements in the quality of life, well-being, empowerment and inclusion of people affected by dementia – both those who have dementia and those who care for them.
www.lifechangestrust.org.uk
www.lifechangestrust.org.uk
