A relaxed, informal information afternoon and dementia friendly walk day for people to learn more about services for people living with dementia, is being held at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh on Monday, 28 August.

Organised by Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well project, Police Scotland, Fire Scotland, Paths for All, and other third sector agencies, the aim of the event is to showcase the services available across to the city to anyone living or affected by dementia, including carers and family. Various representatives from these organisations will be on hand to discuss exercise options, fire prevention and personal safeguarding.

A free dementia friendly walk, led by a specialist walk leader from Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well scheme and Paths For All, will take place from 1.30pm-2.15pm in the Botanic Gardens, which is free to join, with no sign-up required.

Anyone interested in joining in the walk, including carers, should arrive at the John Hope Gateway (West Gate) from 12.45pm. Light refreshments will be available in the Botanics Cottage after the walk, with the opportunity to discuss with representatives from the third sector agencies about the types of services on offer, in an informal environment.

Audrey McKinven, Ageing Well Project Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure is all about providing opportunities for anyone to get active and stay active, no matter what the individual’s ability. Walking is such an accessible way to improve health and wellbeing but for those living or affected by dementia, it can be a daunting prospect.
“We have a range of Ageing Well Health Walks to suit most people’s needs, from a 30 minute stroll to a moderate 90 minute walk. We also have two dementia friendly walks, with specially trained walk leaders, who understand the needs and requirements of these group of people. Not only is it an easy and cheap way to improve fitness, but it’s a great way to socialise too and to meet like-minded people.”
Ian Findlay, Paths for All Chief Officer said: “We are delighted to be working with Edinburgh Leisure to establish dementia friendly walking groups in the city. We know that there are lots of barriers stopping people living with dementia getting out, enjoying the outdoors, meeting people and keeping active. Joining a led walk is a really good way for people to overcome these and feel the benefits of walking. Spending time outdoors in nature can help to relieve stress, increase self-esteem, produce vitamin D, and exercises the brain, helping with memory and cognitive functioning. Even 10 to 15 minutes of daily walking outdoors can improve the overall wellbeing of people living with dementia.”
An estimated 90,000 people have dementia in Scotland, with around 3,200 of these people under the age of 65.

Edinburgh Leisure has recently been awarded a grant of £189,000 to become dementia friendly. The money, which comes from the Life Changes Trust, will be used to develop health and well-being activities for people affected by dementia across the city.

Edinburgh Leisure will develop a range of physical activities for people living with early onset and mild to moderate dementia and their carers, so that they can become – and remain – physically active.

Edinburgh Leisure’s specialist team will work with dementia communities to offer a free outreach service, providing tailored physical programmes for people living with dementia. These will be held in either Edinburgh Leisure’s own venues, in partner venues or in community settings.

The project, called Movement for Memories, will support people living with dementia and their carers to access physical activities, such as swimming, gym sessions, golf and tennis, as well as attend sessions which are specifically designed to be dementia friendly. These will include group walks, dancing, gardening, and walking football.

Projects like Movement for Memories are part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities Programme that use the power of physical activity and sport to change and improve the lives of over 5,200 people each year who are affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities and disabilities.

Staff and students from Queen Margaret University plan to raise awareness of dementia by organising a picnic in the grounds of QMU during Dementia Awareness Week 2017. The activity, run by QMU’s Dementia Friendly Working Group, aims to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland and the QMU Dementia Group.

The word ‘Dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour.

According to 2016 figures, approximately 1100 people in East Lothian are registered as having a diagnosis of dementia. The condition is on the rise, with the number of people affected projected to rise substantially over the next twenty years.

This year, the theme of Dementia Awareness Week is ‘making friends’, so the QMU organising team felt it would be fitting to create an event where participants can have fun and socialise with new people. All funds from the event will be used to support dementia care in Musselburgh.

Professor Jan Dewing, lead of QMU’s Dementia Friendly Working Group, explained: “We are delighted that community groups will be joining us at the fun event in the lovely grounds of the QMU campus. The Dementia picnic is a great way to emphasise the importance of social inclusion, making friends and having fun in relation to our mental well-being. People with dementia, and those who care for them, need that as much as everyone else.”

Karen Rennie, a fourth year nursing student at QMU, said: “The QMU Dementia Friendly Working Group aims to bring students, staff and members of the community together to increase awareness about dementia. Having a picnic is a perfect way to achieve this and most importantly, to have some fun!”
Another fourth year nursing student, Jenny Kirkwood, explained: “I joined the dementia working group not knowing much about dementia, how it affects different people and what can be done to help people living with dementia. Having learnt what big a difference simple changes can make to lives of those living with dementia, I am keen to share this knowledge and awareness with others, and what better way to do this than a picnic!”

Hazel Johnson, Alzheimer’s Scotland Dementia Advisor, confirmed: “I’m very happy to offer this wonderful opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to have a picnic and make friends. People can also be involved in helping to re-design the QMU pathway to be more dementia friendly.”

The Dementia picnic will take place in the QMU grounds on Monday 22 May from 11am – 3pm. People must bring their own picnic lunch – and should bring something to sit on! Awareness raising about dementia and some fun activities will be taking place during the picnic. Everyone is welcome and free parking will be available that day in the QMU car park.