Dementia campaigner and children’s charity founder receive honorary degrees

A leading dementia campaigner and the founder of an art therapy charity for children with chronic illness received honorary degrees from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia, was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work in improving the lives of people living with dementia. Henry has been involved in developing a model which is transforming lives and altering the way we think about people with dementia and their carers. This approach has received much international recognition placing Scotland at the forefront of dementia practice.

The dementia campaigner was joined by Laura Young (pictured), Founder of The Teapot Trust charity. An honorary doctorate was bestowed upon Laura for her work in using art therapy to help children and young people cope with long-term medical conditions.

Both honorary graduates were acknowledged for the relevance of their work to society, reflecting the university’s own commitment to enhancing lives in the communities it serves.

Professor Alan Gilloran, Deputy Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “Under Henry Simmons’ leadership, Alzheimer Scotland has completely transformed the journey for someone with dementia from the point of diagnosis to the end of life. This has brought dementia out of the shadows, shedding its cloak of stigma and allowing people with dementia to live as equal, valued citizens.”

He continued: “As QMU is the only provider of education and research in Art Therapy in Scotland, it is entirely appropriate that we recognise Laura Young and her work with The Teapot Trust. The impact of Laura’s work with the Teapot Trust goes far beyond her home county of East Lothian. Laura has established services in six centres across the UK including Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, South Glasgow University Hospital and even the Rheumatology Ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

“Her passion for making a difference to people’s lives has been recognised by other organisations. She has won the Family Hero for Scotland in 2013, was Tesco Charitable Mum of the Year in 2014 and more recently Laura and John Young were the latest recipients of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who make a change in their community and inspire others.”