Dementia project ‘thriving’ in region

A SUPPORT programme designed to help family carers looking after someone with dementia is thriving within the region.

The Carers’ Academy was established in 2024 and is designed and delivered by health and social professionals, academics and Alzheimer Scotland offering family carers the opportunity to attend a one-day bespoke dementia programme, ‘Essentials of Dementia Care’ and a follow up one-day programme, ‘Fundamentals of Care’.

At an event at the University of the West of Scotland campus in Dumfries on Tuesday the team behind the academy shared an update on how the academy is fairing since it was established, as well as plans to hold events in other parts of the region.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dr Anna Jack-Waugh, of Alzheimer Scotland’s centre for policy and practice, said: “Building a carers’ academy did take a little bit of time to create, it took six months before the Dumfries and Galloway academy. And it takes that time because we have to me

et with academics and consultants from the of the statutory organisations within the Dumfries and Galloway and say ‘we’re building this and we need your help to tell people about this and refer them to us’.

“So far Dumfries and Galloway has been fabulous, all of our statutory bodies from health and social care, third sector services have been ready to go.

“Because the academy is an additional service, it’s not an either/or, so people can come to the carers’ academy and get all the support that those services offer and what we want people to know is that you make the choice, you can reach out to us when you need us.”

For more information about the Carers’ Academy email: [email protected] or call 01387246246 ext. 32907.