Successful dementia community events held in Hawick and Peebles

The Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), in conjunction with Age Scotland, successfully hosted two dementia community events last week in the Heart of Hawick and Peebles Burgh Hall.

Over 50 people attended across the two days, including people living with dementia and their carers. Those who attended were offered the opportunity to access support, share their experiences and connect with local services.

The events provided practical advice on making homes more dementia-friendly and featured over 20 local support organisations, including What Matters Hubs, Technology Enabled Care, Borders Carers Centre and Dementia Friendly Tweeddale. Attendees were also given the opportunity to take part in an interactive session with Lingo Flamingo, which brought plenty of laughter, singing and dancing.

Feedback from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive, with Age Scotland highlighting the events as an example of best practice in community-based dementia support. The insights and discussions from these sessions will contribute to shaping both the national dementia strategy and our local NHS Borders dementia plan.

Christine Proudfoot, Nurse Consultant/Strategic Dementia Lead for the Scottish Borders HSCP, said: “Last week’s events provided a fantastic opportunity for people living with dementia and their carers to connect with services and each other in an inclusive and supportive environment. By bringing together local partners and community resources, we are ensuring that people can access the right information and support at the right time. The enthusiasm and engagement from attendees highlighted the importance of continuing to develop community-based initiatives like this.”

Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, Scottish Borders Council’s Champion for Deaf Community and Older People, said: “It was really encouraging to see people living with dementia and family carers come along to our events in Hawick and Peebles. 

“When we share information, listen to the concerns and look for joint solutions, it makes the dementia journey a little easier. We should never be planning services without speaking to the people who are going to be using them and the learning for everyone involved in both days was excellent. Ending on a high of learning a wee bit of French just shows that our brains can still learn.

“I want to say a huge thank you for to everyone involved in the planning, delivery and attendance.  It takes a team of passionate people to do this and we are all that.”

We would like to extend thanks to everyone involved in organising and supporting the events, as well as to the attendees who came along and shared their valuable experiences.