Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG)
SDWG is one of Alzheimer Scotland’s ‘Active Voice’ Groups alongside the National Dementia Carers Action Network (NDCAN).
About us
The Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) is a national, member led campaigning and awareness raising group for people living with a diagnosis of dementia in Scotland. Founded in 2001, the group has been at the forefront of campaigning for improved dementia supports and services ever since, raising awareness to help tackle stigma, working with decision makers to ensure that people living with dementia have a voice to influence policy and practice, and working as partners in dementia research.
Our work
- to campaign and raise awareness at a national and local level
- to engage with, and inform Scotland’s National Dementia Strategies
- to promote, and raise awareness among health, social care and related professions, as well as the wider public
- to work with all stakeholders at a national and local level, including national and local government, private and voluntary providers of health, social care and housing, and other relevant bodies
- to work with other representative groups, in particular our sister group NDCAN
- to work alongside Alzheimer Scotland staff to ensure coordinated and effective campaigning activities
‘It is important that we engage with, and hear, the voices of people with dementia from all localities within Scotland’
– SDWG member
SDWG priorities & focus areas 2025/26
Priorities
Focus areas
Become a SDWG member
Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG) membership is free and open to people with dementia. The more SDWG members we have, the louder the voice of people with dementia in Scotland will be. The only requirement for membership is that you would like to meet other people with dementia to discuss things that really matter to you. Although we are not a support group, our members say that they have gained support and made friends since joining the SDWG.
We have a membership form that you can fill in and email back to us at activevoice@alzscot.org. Once you have completed the form, an Active Voice Development Officer will be in touch to find out what areas of campaigning you are interested in. If you need any support with completing the SDWG membership form, contact SDWG.
You can also download more publications by SDWG further down the page.
SDWG publications
- Peer to peer advice and hints on your dementia diagnosis – A peer to peer resource produced by SDWG members and AHP professionals.
- Our Top Tips for living well with dementia – A booklet of ‘top tips’ for people living with dementia, by people living with dementia.
- Travelling Safely With Dementia – A booklet produced by SDWG members giving guidance and advice on how people with dementia can travel independently and safely.
- Dementia Friendly Meetings Guidelines – Guidelines produced by our members on hosting dementia friendly meetings.
SDWG equality statement
The Scottish Dementia Working Group members are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that values diversity. By standing together, we are a stronger, and more powerful voice for people living with a diagnosis of dementia in Scotland today.
The National Dementia Care Action Network (NDCAN)
The National Dementia Care Action Network (NDCAN) is a national, member led campaigning and awareness raising group of current and former dementia carers in Scotland. Learn more about our other Active Voice group NDCAN.