OnFife Libraries is celebrating a new partnership with Alzheimer Scotland with the creation of dementia information hubs in Duloch Library and Kirkcaldy Galleries.
Duloch Library marked the launch by inviting local care home residents to take part in Magic Moments sessions. Residents got hands on with the library’s Magic Table, playing interactive games specially designed for those living with dementia. The games are fun and relaxing as well as encouraging interaction and gentle play.
At Kirkcaldy Galleries mindfulness practitioner Craig Gilbert held a dementia-friendly mindful meditation session linked to the Galleries’ Unveiling the Madonna display. Craig guided participants through the basics of mindful meditation and how looking at art can be a great way to slow down, reflect, and just be.
Through Alzheimer Scotland partnerships, over 120 libraries across Scotland will become dementia information hubs. These libraries will have close relationships with their nearest Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Resource Centre, display and share a wide range of Alzheimer Scotland dementia information materials, and support library users to access online dementia and brain health resources (such as Brain Health Scotland). Staff in those libraries have undertaken Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Friends Scotland programme, to help them better understand the day-to-day challenges of living with dementia and support for people with dementia to fully use the library’s resources.
Kirkcaldy Galleries also has dementia-friendly signage throughout the building. The signage is unique with eight new pictograms designed to highlight different areas making the venue accessible for the whole community.
More dementia-friendly activities will be coming soon to Kirkcaldy Galleries and Duloch Library.
The new Alzheimer Scotland partnership covers the Scottish Libraries & Information Council, the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, Alzheimer Scotland and pathfinder libraries in Stirling, Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, Fife, North Ayrshire, Inverclyde, the Lothians, East Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire.
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council, said:
“The Scottish Library & Information Council is proud to partner with Alzheimer Scotland on this fantastic initiative. It builds on dementia support programmes delivered through Scotland’s public libraries, such as the Memories Scotland Memory Groups and Dementia Friendly accreditation which many public libraries have now received.
“Libraries offer a calm, welcoming and safe haven for anyone looking for respite, support and information about dementia. Furthermore, library event programmes include Dementia Friendly film screenings, chatty cafes and reminiscence groups.
“Our public libraries play a crucial role tackling this very real problem and they also offer a wide range of information, both on site, online and through quality-assured reading lists.”
Kirsty Stewart, Executive Lead for Stakeholder Engagement at Alzheimer Scotland, said:
“It’s wonderful to see so many community libraries commit to being local dementia information hubs. I am inspired by how the partnership has really embraced learning about dementia; by educating themselves, providing information, creating links with local Alzheimer Scotland supports and ensuring their community spaces are welcoming for anyone living with dementia or worried about their memory.
“Libraries are a vital resource for so many people and with 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, this partnership is another important step to making sure nobody faces dementia alone. Dementia is just one thing about a person – it’s not everything. I am delighted to see so many libraries hold their own Tea & Blether events to celebrate this partnership and I look forward to seeing what else we can achieve together, over the coming year.”
Caption:
Kirkcaldy Galleries decorated to mark the recent Dementia Awareness Week.
For further information about the partnerships please contact Kirsty Yanik, Stakeholder Engagement Leader at Alzheimer Scotland on Tel: 0131 243 1462 or email: kyanik@alzscot.org
For more about the Fife activities, contact Sheona Small, press officer, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com
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For further information contact Sheona Small, press officer, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com
Notes to editors: OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife. Further information can be found at www.onfife.com
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