Scotland’s first dementia-friendly park to help sufferers and carers

● Park in Stirling transformed to be safe outdoor space and benefit health

Scotland’s first ever dementia-friendly park has been launched in Stirling.

Kings Park, one of the city’s most popular recreational areas, has been transformed to make it more accessible and help people with dementia to enjoy and feel safe in outdoor spaces.

New measures include a handrail, improved toilet signs and benches. An information leaflet with a map has also been created to help with route-planning.

The initiative, spearheaded by the walking charity Paths for All, aims to encourage more people to get outside.

Research shows both exercise and being out in nature have multiple health benefits. Theseincluderelievingstress, raising self-esteem, improving sleep and aiding memory and cognitive function.

Even ten minutes of daily walking has been shown to improve the overall well-being of dementia sufferers.

The improvements at Kings Park have been brought in after consultation with residents, carers and people living with the condition.

“This project was an important step for us in working towards our aim of driving improvements in the quality of life, well-being, empowerment and inclusion of people living with dementia in Scotland,” said Dr Corinne Greasley Adams, development officer with Paths for All.

“With these changes we hope to spread the message

0 Maureen Watt, minister for mental health, checks out the work done at King’s Park, Stirling that anybody can enjoy walking activities.”

Estimates suggest around 90,000 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with dementia, but the number is expected to double over the next 25 years as the population gets older.

“Making our parks and public spaces more inclusive for people living with dementia to improve their physical, social and mental health is so important,” said mental health minister Maureen Watt.

“The Kings Park project shows what can be done to help make our communities and green spaces more accessible and inclusive for people with dementia.”

Paths for All received £15,000 from the William Grant Foun- dation in partnership with the Life Changes Trust to fund the work. A further £6,000 came from Stirling Council.

Stirling Council provost Christine Simpson said: “I am delighted to support this important initiative, which will bring pleasure, relaxation and increased well-being to our Stirling residents.

“This is particularly important for people living with dementia and their carers as many of the improvements have been specially designed to enhance their access and quality of life.”

The local authority has also made other upgrades, including resurfacing paths around the perimeter of the park.