As a follow-on to Scottish Racing’s support of the charity Alzheimer Scotland, a ‘Dementia Friends’ information session has been held at Musselburgh Racecourse with staff taking part.
Scottish Racing has embraced the work of Alzheimer Scotland and has committed to stage Dementia Friends information sessions at all its courses. The sessions are interactive and will enable racecourse staff to increase their understanding of dementia. Dementia Friends outlines the small ways in which everyone can help support those living with the illness and their families.
With over 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland and the number on the rise, the work at Musselburgh Racecourse is a further step forward in the partnership between Scotland’s national dementia charity and Scottish Racing.
Further activities are planned including the attendance of the Alzheimer Scotland Memory Bus at racecourses. The Memory Bus will offer attendees the chance to reconnect with people with past events.
Eleanor Boden, Community Engagement Officer for Scottish Racing, said: “This is an exciting development in the partnership between Scottish Racing and Alzheimer Scotland and I hope racecourses in England see this as a blueprint for future collaborations on making racing venues as inclusive as possible to those with a hidden disability such as dementia.”
Anne McWhinnie, Dementia Friends Programme Managers for Alzheimer Scotland, added: “We were delighted to host the Dementia Friends information sessions for staff at Musselburgh Racecourse as part of our wider engagement with the Scottish Racing Communities.
“Our new Dementia Friends have all committed to making the small but vital changes that will help people with dementia to feel understood and valued in our communities. This is a crucial step towards building a Dementia Friendly Scotland, where nobody should face dementia alone.”
If you have any questions about dementia and of the services available in your area call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit the website at www.alzscot.org.