Breaking down the barriers in dementia

Conversations about dementia are not always easy and in some communities the condition is rarely spoken about.

That's why earlier this year Age Scotland's dementia team worked in partnership with the Economic Forum for Family Empowerment Scotland (TEFFFES) and Meeting Centres Scotland to build understanding across generations, strengthen inclusion and challege the stigma surrounding dementia.

Running over five weeks, the collaboration included four interactive workshops with the Rising Stars youth group involving around 20 young people aged five to 16. Guided by their own questions including 'what is dementia?', 'how does it affect the brain' and 'can people live well with it?' the sessions combined discussion with creative activities. Young people coloured brain maps, designed posters about communication and decorated memory boxes to explore how people with dementia can hold on to special moments.

Alongside those sessions, a dementia awareness workshop for volunteers gave parents and community members a chance to build their knowledge and confidence. Ten participants took part, welcoming the opportunity to learn in a way that was clear, interactive and practical. One volunteer said: "I now feel more aware of dementia and more confident about offering support."

For Age Scotland this was the first time delivering dementia awareness sessions directly to a youth group and it was inspiring to see the level of curiosity and creativity the young people brought. Their enthusiasm helped shape the workshops and showed how powerful intergenerational awareness-raising can be.

The project also connects to our wider diversity and inclusion strategy. By working alongside TEFFFES and Meeting Centres Scotland we are learning directly from communities whose voices may not always be heard. These insights will inform our ongoing work with minority communities ensuring our approach to dementia awareness continues to reflect Scotland's diversity of cultures and experiences.

This partnership is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose: breaking stigma, fostering inclusion and empowering communities to support people living with dementia.

This article appears in the current edition of Advantage magazine which can be read here