This Dementia Awareness Week, people across Aberdeen City and Shire are being urged to put the kettle on and join together with friends, colleagues and family for a cuppa and a blether, while raising funds to support people living with dementia.
Alzheimer Scotland’s Tea and Blether gatherings can be held at home, in the office, at school or in the local community, with people making a donation to attend. The leading charity is also encouraging everyone to sign up for a free fundraising pack today and host a Tea and Blether during the annual Dementia Awareness Week.
People across Aberdeen are also being invited to drop into the Aberdeen Dementia Resource Centre. Tea and Blether on Friday June 2 at 10am to 3pm for a slice of the action. As well as enjoying a cuppa and a wee scone, staff will be on hand to offer advice and information on Alzheimer Scotland’s local dementia services including Musical Memories which meets every Friday at 10.30am.
Andrea Watt, Alzheimer Scotland spokesperson for Aberdeen area, said: “Signing up for a Tea and Blether is a piece of cake and we hope that Aberdeen will rise to the challenge.
As part of this year’s Dementia Awareness Week activities Alzheimer Scotland will also be hosting ‘D in the Park’. In partnership with Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council’s wellbeing team, D in the Park will offer a day of taster activities at Westburn Lounge, including Qi Gong, a 1940s dance workshop, movie reminiscence and outdoor games. Research shows that keeping mentally and physically active can help us to keep well as we get older, including those who have dementia, so we want to encourage people to come along and try something new. This fun, free event is from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday May 30 and a programme from the day will be available from the Dementia Resource Centre, King Street. There will also be information on the day from the partner organisations.
“This dementia awareness week we want to inspire people to value friendships new and old and will be raising awareness of what to expect when a friend or family member is diagnosed with dementia. By coming together we can help support Scotland’s biggest health and social care challenge by sharing a brew, having a chat about dementia and by fundraising.
Andrea Watt added: "Every donation made will be invested back to support the thousands of Scots and their families living with this illness across the communities of Scotland.”
The Alzheimer Scotland Tea and Blether fundraising pack contains everything supporters need to plan their elevenses over a brew, including money box, balloons, friendship information leaflet, craft bunting, fundraising ideas and an exclusive recipe from television cook, Prue Leith. Pick your own pack up from Aberdeen Dementia Resource Centre, 13-19 King Street 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge faced by society today. There are 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland and it is now estimated that 20,000 people will be diagnosed with the condition every year by 2020. If you have any questions about dementia and of the services available in your area call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Hour Helpline on 0808 808 3000.