Support group to meet for first time

Dementia Friendly Dunblane (DFD) will host a meeting for a national dementia network tomorrow night (Thursday).

The inaugural meeting of the newly-formed meeting centre network in Scotland will take place at Dunblane New Golf Club to discuss future plans.

The first meeting centre in Scotland was set up in Kirriemuir in 2019 followed by Dunblane in 2021. There are now 11 meeting centres across Scotland.

DFD project coordinator Breda Seaman said:“at the heart of the meeting centre is a social club where people meet to have fun, talk to others and get help that focuses on what they need.

“They offer a social space and communitybased support for people living with dementia, their families, and unpaid carers.

“Support is designed around attendees’ individual needs and activities are selected by members themselves, based upon their interests.

“Research suggests that the flexible and personcentred nature of meeting centres can help people affected by dementia adjust to the changes that often follow diagnosis and contributes to positive outcomes in the longer-term.

“These new meeting centres provide local tailored support to the people living with dementia, unpaid carers and families who attend and will offer them the opportunity to shape the support they receive.

“We plan for our meeting centres to be a hub of activity and information, providing support on a local level.

“Our aim is to support individuals with dementia and their unpaid family carer to live a fulfilling life in their own home supported by a kind caring community.”

Dementia Friendly Dunblane currently run two meeting centres at the Braeport Centre on Wednesdays (1pm to

4pm) and Fridays (11.30am to 3pm).

It is also looking for volunteers. Contact Breda Seaman on 07733 262599 or email: dfdcoord@ gmail.com