A 3 day  programme of events entitled ‘Community and Dementia: Creating Better Lives’ is coming to Orkney on the 7th 8th and 9th of May at the Pickaquoy, Kirkwall to find out what people living with dementia and their carers say really matters to them.

The three days will include storytelling sessions, screen memories sessions, social events including an evening of music and dance, and finishing with a full ‘Creating Better Lives’ conference.

The conference has been designed with the  importance of taking a local approach to supporting people affected by dementia within a national policy context

The Life Changes Trust is holding events like this all across Scotland, to give those who have direct experience of dementia a meaningful voice in how they want to receive support locally.

Gillian Skuse, Managing Director of Age Scotland Orkney said:

“These events are aimed at supporting people in our community and to raise awareness.

“We have worked in partnership with many people to make this happen with our Dementia Hub being at the centre of this.

“The value of these events must not be underestimated as they will give a voice to the people of Orkney at local and national level “

Day 1 will have a focus on people with dementia and unpaid carers, with creative engagement and storytelling sessions.

Day 2 focuses on community connections with a Screen Memories Session centred on the 50s & 60s. This will be followed by an evening social event featuring the Polkadots with swing, lounge jazz and a bit of rock ‘n’ roll as well as the Orkney Jive Dancers.

Day 3 will be the main ‘Community & Dementia: Creating Better Lives’ conference, bringing together people with dementia, unpaid carers and staff from independent, statutory and third sector organisations.

The conference will feature local projects.  Participants will also hear from people affected by dementia about “What works for them” to inform how to better support ‘Community & Dementia’ in Orkney.

The conference will be chaired by the Reverend Susan Kirkbride from the Peedie Kirk and Councillor John Richards, who is also a member of the Orkney Integrated Joint Board.

Anna Buchanan, CEO of the Life Changes Trust, said:

“We know from experience that very often it is local, grassroots organisations which, by their very nature of being local, have the most immediate impact on people living with dementia, their families and unpaid carers.

“We are very much looking forward to finding out what really matters to people in Orkney and how they think support should best be delivered.”

The Life Changes Trust was 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.

For more information about the events contact Arlene Crockett at the Life Changes Trust:
Arlene.crockett@lifechangestrust.org.uk
or call 0141 212 9608