CARERS, charities and staff supporting people with dementia are being invited to a free conference at the University of Stirling.
“Dementia Friendly Communities - The Stirling Standard” takes place on Monday, 24 June.
The full day event is aimed at sharing ideas, information and best practice in a bid to improve services locally.
Professor June Andrews, the Director of the University’s Dementia Services Development Centre, said: “We want to make Stirling the most dementia-friendly city in the world.
“To do that we need to harness the skills, knowledge and experiences of those living with, and supporting people with dementia.
"That could be carers or families, or local charities or staff from public sector bodies. All will be very welcome at the conference.
"As well as guest speakers and discussion sessions, there will also be workshops and stalls. We have extended bookings until 12 June to allow people more time to book places.”
The event is being held in the University’s Iris Murdoch Building – named after the acclaimed author who battled Alzheimer’s disease.
Professor Andrews said: “The event will explore the concept of a dementia-friendly community and what that could mean for someone with dementia and their carers. We’ll look at dementia friendly design and we’ll also look at the roles of local voluntary organisations. We’re delighted that former BBC health correspondent Pennie Taylor will lead discussions.
“Other speakers will include Peter Molyneux, a visiting fellow at our Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC); Mark Butler, Director of Development at the DSDC; and architect Niall McLaughlin. I’ll also be speaking at the event as the Director of the Dementia Services Development Centre.
“In the afternoon, we’ll have workshops on how the media portray people with dementia, look at housing issues and the role of schools and technology. It’s a free event, so I hope people will sign up to take part.”
There will also be a variety of information stands – showcasing local work to support people with dementia, from neighbourhood watch and the community fire service to food and befriending services.
The conference has been supported as part of a larger Change Fund project to support people with dementia, using funding from the Scottish Government.
ABOUT STIRLING’S WORK ON DEMENTIA
Stirling has joined an international movement to make our cities and environments better for people with dementia and their carers. Research has shown that small changes in the environment and in the behaviour of people can make a huge difference, on top of the continued work done by health, social services and private and third sector organisations to improve services. Backed by the University’s world-famous Dementia Services Development Centre, the city is hoping to become the most dementia-friendly city in the world.
ABOUT THE DEMENTIA SERVICES DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
The University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre provides comprehensive dementia education and training, consultancy and research services. The Centre’s flagship Iris Murdoch Building is a model for dementia friendly design. It provides an open and welcoming environment and inspires the Centre’s team designing and remodelling care homes for people with dementia. Research into understanding the needs of people and how to support them is central to the work of the Centre. Its Research Group aims to improve the understanding of dementia and related matters – in turn improving the quality of life and services for people with dementia and their carers.
For more information, please visit http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/