£230,000 funding for dementia friendly arts community
A dementia-friendly arts community operating across Scotland has been awarded a funding boost of £230,000.
The ‘Heart for Art’ project, run by CrossReach, the Church of Scotland Social Care Council, is a creative arts group which offers opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to learn new or reawaken existing artistic skills, build confidence, and develop social relationships through creative arts, as well as providing access to support and advice
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The services currently span both urban and rural settings, operating in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Broughty Ferry, Stonehaven, Kirkudbright, Bankfoot and Garelochhead.
The project aims to challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with a diagnosis of dementia, by promoting positive images of people living with the condition and increasing the knowledge and awareness of it in the local community.
It also aims to improve personal relationships, promote mental and creative stimulation and create a community where members can participate in something that is meaningful to them.
The groups are run by qualified artists, supported by staff with expertise in the area of dementia.
Funding has come from the Life Changes Trust, an independent charity set up with a Big Lottery Fund endowment of £50 million to improve the lives of two key groups in Scotland: people affected by dementia and care experienced young people.
The Trust will be investing £3million in 14 different dementia friendly communities over the next three years.
