Delight as club wins dementia honour
Stonehouse volunteers scoop national award
Volunteers at the Stonehouse Jubilee Club are celebrating after picking up a top award.
The club was named Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative at Scotland’s Dementia Awards at a ceremony in the Glasgow Marriott Hotel.
Scotland’s Dementia Awards is a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council.
They celebrate the inspirational achievements of those making a difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their families.
The Stonehouse Jubilee Club is a social afternoon for people with dementia, and their carers, which is run by volunteers. It has been running on Thursday afternoons in the Stonehouse Lifestyles Centre since 2012.
The dementia-friendly club is the only one of its kind in a 15-mile radius of the village and provides people living with dementia the chance to listen to music, dance and take part in other activities in a safe and supportive environment.
The club offers a support service to people with dementia who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get into the community club and their motto is ‘Music, Laughter and Friendship’.
Christine Dickie, chair of the Jubilee Club, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named as winners in Scotland’s Dementia Awards.
“The club has gone from strength to strength over the six years since it was founded, now welcoming over 80 people every week.
“However, challenges still present themselves. Stonehouse is a rural area and we often get enquiries from people who live in outlying districts with no means of getting to us.
“Looking at the means to provide our own transport is on our ‘to do’ list as well as combating loneliness.
“Once post-diagnostic support comes to an end for a person with dementia, that person who has thoroughly enjoyed coming to the club, sadly is no longer able to, unless a friend or relative can bring them.
“Although we have started to address this by offering a carer support service, we need more willing volunteers if we are to extend the service.”
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s chief executive, said on behalf of the partners: “It is a fitting tribute that we are celebrating the wonderful contribution that individuals and teams have made across the dementia care sector in Scotland to mark World Alzheimer’s Day.
“We have been thrilled to celebrate the work of so many innovative and dedicated individuals alongside the hugely impressive positive collaborations that are taking place.
“Their combined efforts are helping to dramatically improve services, address stigma, break down barriers and ensure that nobody faces dementia alone.”