A CONVERSATION Café event to raise awareness of dementia was held in St Columba’s Church in Stirling. 

The event – organised by Stirling Council in conjunction with Alzheimer Scotland, University of Stirling, Town Break, Stirling Carers Centre, Artlink Central and Church of Scotland – was held on Friday, June 2 as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

Stirling Council Provost Councillor Christine Simpson and Stirling Council Leader Councillor Scott Farmer were also in attendance and met local dementia groups, organisations and people living with the condition.

Organiser Caroline Cherry, service manager for adult assessment and partnership at Stirling Council, said: “People who came to this café event felt it was helpful to get more information about services for people affected by dementia whilst having a lovely cup of tea and cake.

“Thanks to all the agencies who supported the event and Stirling Kirk's Together and St Columbus Church for all their help."

There are almost 1,100 people with dementia living locally and over the next 20 years this figure is expected to double. 

Stirling Council are working with local third and public sector organisations to make Stirling a ‘dementia-friendly’ city, where people with dementia are able to live sustainable and independent lives.

Dementia Awareness Week Scotland aims to help people understand why friendship and kindness are more important than ever when a person has dementia.

A number of events were held across the country over the week to share information on support for friends, family and people in our communities who are living with dementia.

The purpose of the Conversation Café event was to provide an opportunity for those with dementia and their families/caregivers to come together for an informal chat with others in similar situations about living with dementia and how the community can support them.

Conversation topics included how dementia-friendly local communities are, how this can be improved, how people with dementia can participate more in the community and what matters most to them on a daily basis.

There were a number of local information stalls which gave practical help and advice on living with dementia and the current services, local groups and organisations who run activities and events to support people with the condition in the Stirling area.