Over the last 12 months, Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT), along with key partners including The Life Changes Trust and Alzheimer’s Scotland, Aberdeen Sports Village, Sport Aberdeen and the Aberdeen City Council Health and Wellbeing Team, have been developing initiatives and programmes with the aim to increase the participation of those living with dementia in health and wellbeing across Aberdeen City and Shire.

With extensive support from the Life Changes Trust, AFCCT aim to: create an environment suitable for those living with dementia to become involved in health and wellbeing programmes; as well as to develop appropriate activities through a person-centred, city-wide partnership approach for people living with dementia, their families and carers, enabling them to access Dementia Friendly Wellbeing Initiatives across the City.

One key partner which has been pivotal in the development of the dementia friendly communities’ initiative is Alzheimer’s Scotland. The strong working relationship between AFCCT and Alzheimer’s Scotland has allowed AFCCT to deliver a number of activities and programmes from the Alzheimer’s Scotland Resource Centre on King Street; not only raising the awareness of Alzheimer’s Scotland and their services, but allowing AFCCT to engage more people who live with dementia in health and wellbeing activities. As the weeks and months progress, AFCCT and Alzheimer’s Scotland will continue to work in close collaboration, providing support to one another to challenge the stigma of dementia, as well as developing dementia friendly initiatives with the aim to support those living with dementia to be active in their local community.

Through funding from The Life Changes Trust, AFCCT have been able to develop their own programmes into Dementia Friendly Wellbeing Initiatives, as well as organising events held at Pittodrie Stadium, focussed on engaging those living with dementia socially and mentally in a safe and calming atmosphere. Residents and carers from 4 care homes across Aberdeen attended a Burn’s Reminiscence Ceilidh, with Burn’s poetry recitals from Seaton Primary School pupils, Burn’s songs performed by Audacity, ceilidh music, and of course haggis, neeps and tatties!

AFCCT are currently planning the second Dementia Friendly Event and are hopeful to engage more people who live with dementia.

AFCCT are currently planning the second Dementia Friendly Event and are hopeful to engage more people who live with dementia.