Open University wins Dementia Award

An Open University project designed to raise awareness and understanding of dementia has been recognised for its ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community' at the Herald Higher Education Awards.

The project, in partnership with national retailer, Asda, increased awareness of dementia amongst staff and helped them develop the skills needed to make the lives of customers with dementia easier.
‘Community Life Champions' from Asda stores all over Scotland attended a series of tailored workshops and learned how to identify customers who are showing signs of the condition, allowing Asda to tailor its service to individual customers' needs and adapt store environments to make them more dementia-friendly.
Commenting on the award, Dr James Miller, Director of The Open University in Scotland, said "Great credit is due to the colleagues involved in the development and delivery of this project, as well as to our partners at Asda who were quick to recognise how this work could impact positively on their staff and customers alike."
Age Scotland has recently started work on our Early Stage Dementia Project, which will also make available dementia awareness training for staff and our member groups.  Greg McCracken, ESD Team Leader & Policy Officer, said "Congratulations are due to both the Open University and ASDA for this thoroughly deserved award, which recognises the role we all have to play in supporting people to live well with dementia for as long as possible and to make the most of their lives."
Age Scotland will be working with the OU to raise awareness of the many 
free resources available on their OpenLearn [link to: http://www.open.edu/openlearn/] site, including courses on dementia and other aspects of health and social care.

An Open University project designed to raise awareness and understanding of dementia has been recognised for its ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community' at the Herald Higher Education Awards.

The project, in partnership with national retailer, Asda, increased awareness of dementia amongst staff and helped them develop the skills needed to make the lives of customers with dementia easier.

‘Community Life Champions' from Asda stores all over Scotland attended a series of tailored workshops and learned how to identify customers who are showing signs of the condition, allowing Asda to tailor its service to individual customers' needs and adapt store environments to make them more dementia-friendly.

Commenting on the award, Dr James Miller, Director of The Open University in Scotland, said "Great credit is due to the colleagues involved in the development and delivery of this project, as well as to our partners at Asda who were quick to recognise how this work could impact positively on their staff and customers alike."

Age Scotland has recently started work on our Early Stage Dementia Project, which will also make available dementia awareness training for staff and our member groups.  Greg McCracken, ESD Team Leader & Policy Officer, said "Congratulations are due to both the Open University and ASDA for this thoroughly deserved award, which recognises the role we all have to play in supporting people to live well with dementia for as long as possible and to make the most of their lives."

Age Scotland will be working with the OU to raise awareness of the many free resources available on their OpenLearn site, including courses on dementia and other aspects of health and social care.