Scotland’s leading dementia projects celebrated at 2016 awards ceremony

The search for Scotland’s most innovative and ambitious dementia projects is over with six groups from across the country now crowned as winners in this year’s Scotland’s Dementia Awards, at a ceremony held at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel at the weekend.

Now in its fifth year, the awards programme, a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the SSSC, aims to recognise and celebrate creative approaches, innovation and best practice in all aspects of information, advice, care and support for people living with dementia.

Attended by Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Mental Health, Scottish Government, the annual event provides a platform to recognise those working in the sector who are committed to developing ground-breaking projects which set out to improve the lives of people living with dementia, their carers and families.

A special lifetime achievement award was presented to Margaret Brown (pictured) by Henry Simmons, Chief Executive at Alzheimer Scotland, for her outstanding commitment to the field of dementia and mental health care for older people. Margaret currently lectures and researches at the University of the West of Scotland.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland, said: “This has been a wonderful year for Scotland’s Dementia Awards which aims to recognise and showcase the vital contribution that professionals and community groups make across the length and breadth of Scotland.

“This year’s winners have raised the bar, yet again, and I am delighted to see everyone congratulated for their efforts to support people living with dementia and their families. It is also important to acknowledge those who work so hard behind the scenes in support roles to ensure all of the winning and nominated projects are successful in their own right.

“A big thank you to everyone who played their part in this year’s awards to make the programme the continued success it is and I look forward to the coming year to see what advancements are made in the sector.”

Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2016 winners are:

• Best Acute Care Initiative – Wishaw General Hospital, NHS Lanarkshire – MAC (Meaningful Activity Club)
• Best Community Support Initiative – Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company – Here 2 Help
• Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative – An Lanntair – Arora
• Best Educational Initiative – The University of the West of Scotland – Dementia Class in a Bag
• Best Innovation in Continuing Care – Little Art School Trust (SCIO)
• Most Innovative Partnership – Inch View Care Home
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Margaret Brown

For more information on the awards, visit: www.ScotlandsDementiaAwards.org.uk

_{Picture: Dr Margaret Brown with her Life Time Achievement Award. (c) University of the West of Scotland.}