Bletherbox support for dementia sufferers

A NEW online facility – the first of its kind – designed to assist people with dementia was launched yesterday.

BletherBox is the brainchild of LeighAnn White, a clinical studies officer with the Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network (SDCRN), who is based at Ashludie Day Hospital in Monifieth.

It is the first online dementia forum dedicated to people with dementia and their families and carers living in Scotland.

The project was launched at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth yesterday, attended by representatives from SDCRN, NHS Tayside, Alzheimer Scotland, the Scottish Dementia Working Group and Dementia Services Development Centre.

Dementia awareness campaignerTommy Whitelaw of Tommy-On-Tour was also present at the event.

Yesterday, Ms White said that she came across the idea for BletherBox after looking into support systems for dementia sufferers in Dundee.

“I started to look seriously into support systems in the Dundee area after an encounter with a dementia sufferer which touched me very deeply,” she said.

“The loneliness expressed by this man, his fears, his lost life, his frustration and his openness with me which, although heartbreaking, was an obvious relief for him to be heard.”

She continued: “Support groups seem to be plentiful through different organisations and charities. However, not everyone can attend groups so I searched for online support and found a platform calledTalking Point through the Alzheimer’s Society.

“Though hugely successful, with over 20,000 members, I noted that, despite having many Scottish members, the advice being given related to English legislation and policies. It seemed an obvious gap that there was not something similar for people in Scotland and this is when I decided to develop BletherBox.”

Mr Whitelaw added: “I believe that this new online forum will provide a muchneeded platform to speak honestly and openly, inspire, teach, learn from and promote good practice.

“BletherBox will give a voice to Scottish people to design and guide a better future for those affected by dementia in Scotland.”

BletherBox can be accessed by visiting bletherbox.org.uk.

From left — Scottish Dementia Clinical Research Network manager Emma Law, patient Brian Malone, BletherBox administrator Jamie Whyte, NHS Tayside consultant psychiatrist Dr Peter Connelly, Leigh-Ann White, Tommy Whitelaw, Sandra Shasfii and Margaret...