1 in 3 people over the age of 65 in the UK will develop dementia, and with the ever increasing life expectancy, more and more people are expected to be living with dementia in the future. Currently 800,000 people live with dementia in the UK which is expected to rise to over 1 million by the year 2021.
Despite the increasing numbers in those living with dementia, many with the condition, including carers, may feel ostracised from their communities and feel disengaged from any health and wellbeing programmes which run within the city; such as those Wider Community Engagement Programmes ran by the Aberdeen FC Community Trust.
Senior Scottish FA Community Coach at AFCCT, Steven Sweeney, highlighted the importance of creating an environment suitable for those living with dementia to become involved with AFCCT’s Wider Community Engagement Programmes “At AFCCT our vision is to develop a person-centred approach to people living with dementia, their families and carers accessing Dementia Friendly Wellbeing Initiatives across the City. The training provided both by Alzheimer Scotland, and by Aberdeen City Council’s Health & Social Care Team has proved invaluable in; and this increased knowledge will allow us to challenge some of the stigma connected with dementia, and best support our programme participants enjoy wellbeing and physical activity.”
The aim of AFCCT is to become the signpost organisation within Aberdeen City for dementia friendly initiatives; raising the profile of all health and wellbeing programmes available to those living with dementia as well as raise the awareness and challenge the stigma attached with dementia.
Chief Executive at AFCCT, Ally Prockter added “AFC Community Trust’s involvement in supporting those living with dementia is recognised as being an extremely important aspect of us supporting local communities. By delivering ‘dementia friendly’ initiatives, and by raising awareness of dementia issues amongst all supporters and friends of AFCCT and Aberdeen Football Club, the Trust will do all it can to make the North east of Scotland a Dementia Friendly Community.”
Becoming a dementia friendly community requires people who are committed to supporting those living with dementia remain part of their community, and provide them with the opportunity to engage within initiatives aimed to improve physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, all full-time members of staff completed a dementia awareness workshop, as well as 30 part-time members of staff and volunteers which will enable AFCCT to effectively deliver Dementia Friendly Initiatives across the North-East of Scotland.
