SCOTTISH cabinet minsters have become Dementia Friends after a session hosted by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
The initiative, run by Alzheimer Scotland, sees groups attend workshops which increase dementia awareness and provide information on the condition.
The event at St Andrew’s House helped to make Cabinet Secretaries aware of the small things they could do to make a big difference for people living with dementia.
There are currently over 48,000 Dementia Friends in Scotland.
The project aims to create dementia-friendly, inclusive communities, and to tackle the stigma of the health condition.
Watch: Agnes and Jodie explain why dementia friendly events are so important
Health Secretary Shona Robison said she was ‘delighted’ at the move.
She said: “I am delighted that members of the Scottish Cabinet were able to demonstrate their support for Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Friends initiative by attending the awareness-raising session immediately after a cabinet meeting.
“This highlights the importance that the Scottish Government attaches to improving the lives of people living with dementia.”
Anna Devine, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Alzheimer Scotland, said the organisation aims to ensure that no one faces dementia alone.
She said: “Over three quarters of people in Scotland know someone who has the illness, or who cares for someone with dementia.
“It is our aim to put dementia firmly at the heart of our communities and to make sure that nobody faces the illness alone.”
Anyone can become a Dementia Friend, to find out how to book a Dementia Friends Scotland learning session email dementiafriends@alzscot.org, or you can watch a section of short awareness videos online at www.dementiafriendsscotland.org, like the one below:
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