Public meeting in Thurso to look at setting up dementia community hub
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A new community hub could be established in Thurso to support families affected by dementia.
The idea is to be explored at a public meeting in the town later this month and anyone interested in taking part is being encouraged to register for a place.
The five-hour workshop in the Pentland Hotel will highlight the benefits of "meeting centres" – described as an innovative way of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia and their families through an evidence-based, person-centred approach.
It is planned for Monday, August 21, from 10am to 3pm, with lunch included.
The event will be run by Graham Galloway, chief executive officer of Kirrie Connections, based in the Angus town of Kirriemuir.
Dementia meeting centres originated in the Netherlands 30 years ago but are now opening across the world. The first one in Scotland began in Kirriemuir in 2019 and there are now 15 centres open across the country, with many more in development.
Mr Galloway explained that meeting centres are, at their heart, social clubs where people living with dementia and their family care partners can receive help and support to adjust to the changes a dementia diagnosis brings.
"We have seen the impact the meeting centre model has had over the past four years on the families we support in Kirriemuir," Mr Galloway said. "The terms 'lifeline' and 'lifesaver' are used repeatedly when we evaluate our work.
"The meeting centre model isn't a complicated one, and that is why something that started in Amsterdam is working in some of the most remote and rural parts of Scotland. The meeting on the 21st will be the start of a discussion to see whether there is an appetite to develop this sort of support in Thurso."
The workshop will look at the background to meeting centres and how they are set up, as well as subjects such as finance, staffing and training, finding a suitable location and developing a programme of activities.
It will also cover what support can be provided from Meeting Centres Scotland.
Anyone wishing to register a place, or ask any questions, can email graham@kirrieconnections.com
