NHS Ayrshire & Arran has been shortlisted in Scotland’s Dementia Awards and named as a finalist in the Best Educational Initiative category for their joint project with University West of Scotland named ‘Carer’s Academy’.

Winners will be announced on 18 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

The ‘Carer’s Academy’ aims to support family members and friends who care for loved ones with dementia, to develop enhanced levels of practical skills and knowledge in dementia care.

Evaluation results indicate that the ‘Carer’s Academy’ is of value to family carers not only on a practical level but also in facilitating peer support and establishing connections with local support services.

Susan Holland, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultant – NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our ‘Carer’s Academy’ programme has been shortlisted as a finalist in Scotland’s Dementia Award and to have worked with our colleagues on this innovative project.”

Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “Scotland’s Dementia Awards celebrate the people and projects working tirelessly to improve care and support for people living with dementia and their families throughout our communities and across the health, social care and education sectors.

“On behalf of our awards partners, I want to thank everyone who entered the awards. It has been our honour once again to see so many tremendous creative and innovative collaborations taking place.

"Many of these initiatives are significantly developing and improving practice, ensuring that the rights of people with dementia and their families to receive the best possible quality of care and support are being delivered.

"Others are helping to break down and tackle social barriers, unifying our communities and creating a dementia-friendly Scotland. We look forward to celebrating the work of all our finalists and winners in September.”

With five categories, Scotland’s Dementia Awards recognises the innovative and ambitious dementia projects making a big difference to people living with dementia, including: Best Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Best Community Support Initiative, Best Educational Initiative, Best Hospital Care Initiative and Best Care Home Practice Improvement.

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 every year will be diagnosed with the condition by 2020.

For further information about Scotland’s Dementia Awards please visit www.sda.alzscot.org. If you have any further queries about the awards event please contact us on Tel: 0141 410 0104 or email ScotlandsDementiaAwards@alzscot.org. Join the conversation at #SDAs19.