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As a follow-on from Scottish Racing’s support of Scotland’s Dementia Awareness Week earlier this year, a first Dementia Friends information session has been held at Hamilton Park 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.
The work at Hamilton Park is the first step in a new partnership between Scotland’s national dementia charity and Scottish Racing. Eleanor Boden, Community Engagement Officer from 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.”
Anne McWhinnie, Dementia Friends Programme Manager from Alzheimer Scotland, added: “We were delighted to host the first of many Dementia Friends information sessions for staff at the Hamilton Park 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.”
Further activities are planned at the Hamilton Park racecourse include the attendance of the Alzheimer Scotland Memory Bus to reconnect attendees with past events and racing highlights. In the coming weeks and months Dementia Friends sessions will be staged at all Scottish Racing racecourses.
If you would like to find out more about partnering with Alzheimer Scotland, to help make sure nobody faces dementia alone, contact our Corporate Team on Tel: 0131 243 1453 or email [email protected]. If you want to find out more about working towards becoming a dementia friendly business or organisation email: [email protected] for more information.
If you have any questions about dementia, or the support available in your area, call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Hour Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000.