Tremendous effort from Grace earns her a place as 90,000th Dementia Friend
A primary school pupil from Dunblane has become Alzheimer Scotland’s 90,000th Dementia Friend.
Grace McKenzie, 7, took part in her local Dementia Friends community project at school and signed up to the awardwinning Dementia Friends Scotland initiative at home.
The initiative aims to transform the way the nation acts, thinks and talks about the condition, as well as challenging the stigma of dementia which still exists for thousands of families living with the illness.
Grace, who attends Newton Primary School and whose favourite subjects are arts and maths, took part in the local Dementia Friendly Dunblane project at school and by knitting forget-me-knot flowers to help raise money for the local Memory Café.
She has also been involved with people living with dementia since birth at the care home where her Mum (Ashlee Robertson) works and where Grace is a regular visitor.”
“I really wanted to become a Dementia Friend after I saw Mummy get her badge,”said Grace.“I’ve always wanted to help out at my local Memory Café but I am at school when it’s on. When I heard they were coming to my school I asked if I could go and help.
“I really enjoyed visiting the café and enjoy colouring in with everyone. I think it is a good thing because people with dementia can get together, play games and have fun. Dementia Friends helps you start to think about how someone with dementia feels. When I grow up, I’d love to be an artist or in a job where I can help people.”
Newton Primary headteacher Linda Kane said: “We have been involved with the Dementia Friendly Dunblane project for two years now. Grace was really keen to get involved. She’s a lovely girl and has been a little entrepreneur too.”
For information call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit www.alzscot. org.