Projects supporting people in Scotland with Dementia awarded share of £145,000 fund

Projects across Scotland supporting people with dementia have been awarded fresh funding.

A fund worth just over £145,000 was opened for applications, with 14 projects successful.

The process was available to organisations and community groups looking to provide grassroots, community-focused support for people affected by dementia.

Applicants were able to request awards of between £5,000 and £20,000, with a total of 78 applications being made.

The fund was established in a partnership between About Dementia, Age Scotland and the Scottish Government.

A ‘lived experience’ panel including people living with dementia and unpaid carers assessed the applications, as well being involved in shaping and co-producing the funding criteria.

The projects approved to receive funding include British Deaf Association Scotland, Lingo Flamingo, and St Andrews Dementia Hub in South Lanarkshire.

Kevin Stewart, Scotland’s minister for mental wellbeing and social care, pledged to “always champion” grassroots groups.

“Community led support for people living with dementia keeps people connected to their local communities doing things they enjoy after their diagnosis,” he said.

“I will always champion the grassroots groups that deliver these services on the frontline and am pleased to see such a wide variety of projects receive funding as part of the £1m government investment delivered through Age Scotland About Dementia.”

Kainde Manji, head of Dementia at Age Scotland, underlined the importance of the work in helping those with dementia.

“We are thrilled to be awarding grants to these 14 organisations,” explained Manji.

“Our panel were hugely impressed by the diversity of applications received and the range of activities on offer.

“The popularity of this fund underlines yet again the importance of the work taking place at a grassroots community level to support people living with dementia where they are.

“This work is vital in enabling people to live well following a diagnosis and in tackling social isolation.

“However, we know this doesn’t come about by accident. Community organisations across Scotland are facing huge challenges, from the cost of food and heating to the loss of local government funding.

“The new dementia strategy is a huge opportunity to shore up support for these irreplaceable community assets and we are delighted to be playing a small part in delivering on this.”