DEMENTIA Friendly Troon and Villages officially launched over the weekend.
Dr Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care and Dr Philippa Whitford, Central Ayrshire MP, on Saturday launched the new initiative, designed to help those living with dementia and their carers, in and around Troon to stay active in their community for as long as possible.
This comes a week after the group received £750 after winning the support from the public at Troon Locality Decides, where they will be using the funding to create an early stage engagement with local communities, family carers and individuals and they will also be running ‘discovery sessions’.
Dementia Friendly Troon and Villages will also utilise their funds to kickstart their campaign to promote dementia awareness and training across Troon, Loans and Dundonald.
The Central Ayrshire, MP, pictured below with John Scott MSP and Dr Macaskill, said: “It has been great to be part of the steering group working for the last six months on establishing Troon and surrounding villages as Dementia Friendly Communities.
“So many great ideas and many already coming to fruition - an allotment plot, Slow Golf at Fullarton once a month, a Slow Lane in Morrisons for those who want to take their time and Art classes at the Wee Art School.
“There were so many great conversations between all the exhibitors at the opening, I don’t think anyone left without a new idea to take forward.
"Developing as a Dementia Friendly Community doesn’t only support those with the condition to live independently and enjoy their previous hobbies but will make our town more user friendly for anyone needing a little more time and, from all of us, a little more patience.”
Dr Donald Macaskill, added: “We had a great turn out and it was a great atmosphere at the launch with various stalls from Alzheimer’s Scotland, Troon Rotary, South Ayrshire Council and care homes, including Dundonald House.
"This launch of Dementia Friendly Troon and Villages is the start of a process and we have some ideas and it is very much making it part of the community.
“Troon has opened its doors to many visitors and we now want to make sure that it opens its doors all year round, with shops and so on, and make it an inclusive community.
"At the launch, it was about letting people know what we can do – it is the beginning of something.”
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