Dementia Carer Voices campaign reaches 1500 pledges

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland’s (the ALLIANCE) Dementia Carer Voices project has reached an important milestone on their ‘You Can Make a Difference’ campaign, gathering 1500 pledges from people across the country promising to make a difference in the lives of people with dementia, their families and carers.

The team have been taking the ‘You Can Make a Difference’ campaign to staff and students throughout Scotland to highlight that no matter what their role, everyone working in Health and Social Care Services has the potential to transform the lives and experiences of people with dementia and their carers, often in seemingly small ways.

The talks involve Project Engagement Lead Tommy Whitelaw sharing his own personal experiences from caring for his late mum, Joan, and the experiences of others who have written to him since he went on tour in 2011. The campaign allows staff the opportunity to reflect on these personal stories and make a pledge based on one key message or action that they will take away and apply to their everyday practice to make a difference.

Some of the pledges received so far include;

•  “I pledge to view the person I care for as all that they have been, all that they are and all that they can be.”
• “I pledge to treat people with dementia and their carers the way I would like to be treated.”
• “I pledge to make a difference as the future nurse to listen to the carers and patient.  To give them the best support and care they needed and not to make them ever feel isolated.”

Tommy Whitelaw, Dementia Carer Voices Project Engagement Lead, said: “Carers tell us that a little bit of time, listening and understanding can make an unimaginable difference during what can be a very difficult and lonely journey. The pledges that we have received have been truly inspiring, and we’re looking forward to working with people and seeing those pledges fulfilled.”

Irene Oldfather, Director, the ALLIANCE said: “This work reaches out and touches the hearts of many people, not least Health and Social Care students and professionals. These interactions are an ideal opportunity for staff to pause and reflect on what is really important to the people in their care.  Make a pledge, make a difference.”

The full collection of pledges, along with further information on the campaign can be accessed online at www.dementiacarervoices.wordpress.com, where you can submit your own pledge to make a difference.

To get in touch, contact the project team on 0141 404 0233 or email [email protected]