Lottery support for carers in the Highlands

People in the NHS Highland region caring for relatives, friends and loved ones with dementia will receive additional information, advice and support specific to their caring role, thanks to a £234,929 Lottery award announced today.

Alzheimer Scotland is one of five organisations in Scotland sharing in over £1 million from the Big Lottery Fund that will help to improve the lives of Scotland’s unsung army of carers including those over 50 and those new to caring. The funding will be used by Alzheimer Scotland in both our Argyll & Bute and Highland regions.

This Lottery award is great news for carers who, like me, live in remote or rural communities and need support to cope with caring for someone with dementia. I can honestly say that I have had nothing but help, advice, comfort and support from Alzheimer Scotland. They got me through some incredibly difficult times and gave my husband some wonderful experiences going on outings in the final years of his life.

Alzheimer Scotland is only a telephone call away, which is essential for those carers requiring both emotional and practical support.
- Jean Burnard (former carer) from Laggan near Newtonmore.

This funding will be absolutely invaluable to the many people who care for someone with dementia in the Highlands. Carers are often faced with social isolation, particularly so in remote and rural areas; this support will help them to stay involved in community life and reassure carers that they do not have to cope with dementia on their own.
- Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland.