£260,000 to support community dementia projects

More than a quarter of a million pounds has been given to 16 dementia projects across Scotland to support the growth of community-led support for people living with dementia, their carers and family members.

Age Scotland’s About Dementia ‘Encouraging and Supporting Grassroots Activity’ fund is providing £262,837 in community grants to groups that they were unable to fund last year, which saw £170,000 issued to 12 projects. These grants have been enabled by Scottish Government funding.

Awards were distributed by April 2024, and will allow communities to deliver projects and realise the benefits and impact of their work as soon as possible.

The 16 successfully funded projects are:

• Badenoch Shinty Memories (Badenoch, Highlands)
• Deepness LTD (Western Isles)
• Dunblane Development Trust (Dunblane, Forth Valley)
• Edinburgh Leisure – Movement for Memories (Edinburgh)
• Forget me Notes (Edinburgh)
• Greener Peebles (Peebles)
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust (Surrounding areas, Killin, Callander, etc)
• Madoch Centre (Carse of Gowrie, Perthshire)
• Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network (Aberdeenshire)
• Mearns Kirk Helping Hands (East Renfrewshire)
• Queensferry Churches Care in the Community (South Queensferry)
• Saheliya (Glasgow and Edinburgh)
• Space @ Broomhouse Hub’s Beacon Club (Edinburgh)
• STAND (Fife)
• Stirling Carers Centre (Stirling)
• Stress Monkey Club (Isle of Harris and Lewis)

 Age Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Katherine Crawford, said:

“Following the high demand for our previous round of funding, we are thrilled to be able to provide additional financial support to the groups and communities who narrowly missed out last time. It’s great that we can support such a diverse range of projects supporting people in towns, cities, islands and rural areas throughout Scotland.

"This is the third round of funding, which to date totals over half a million pounds, and it is particularly exciting as we were able to quickly distribute this substantial financial support to successful applicants; allowing communities to address gaps in support for people living with dementia, their carers and empowering people to live well within their communities. We’re grateful to the Scottish Government for their support to make this happen.

"We know how important the work of community-led organisations can be for people living with dementia and their families. They play a vital role in ensuring they feel supported and have access to the recourses they need.”

The Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Maree Todd said:

“We are very pleased to see this funding being allocated to a diverse range of community-led projects across Scotland.
 
“Over a period of three years we have committed £1.5 million available for people living with dementia and their care partners in our communities.
 
“This investment supports our clear, positive 10-year strategic vision to deliver a better experience for people living with dementia and their care partners, directly informed by the voices of lived experience.
 
“Our targeted funding approach in community-based support empowers local people to take a more active role in determining and delivering the support they need to enrich their lives, empowering greater inclusivity within our communities.”