Age Scotland is the national charity for older people, working to improve the lives of people over the age of 50 in Scotland. We provide a free helpline, support older people’s groups, promote age and dementia-friendly communities, deliver wellbeing programmes, and campaign on behalf of older people.
At the Scottish Community Link Worker Network Conference we will be represented by Age Scotland’s Dementia Team who offer a range of training opportunities open to unpaid carers, volunteers and workers for community and voluntary organisations – anyone who is interested in learning more about dementia, how to be dementia inclusive, how to better support people living with dementia and the rights of unpaid carers. We have a range of other dementia services which might be relevant to the people and groups you work with. This includes our Dementia Friendly Community Network, grants and funding, and our lived experience groups. You can find further information on all of these including our training here.
In 2024 we were awarded two years of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund which allowed us to further develop our workshops for carers. We carried out a series of carer engagement events last year which showed how frequently unpaid carers of people living with dementia feel unsupported in their role, lack knowledge about dementia and feel isolated from vital networks that can help them in their role. One carer told us ‘our lives have been turned upside down, but who’s looking after us?’
We have developed our carer workshops to address these knowledge gaps, and to equip unpaid carers of people living with dementia with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to navigate their roles. By delivering practical knowledge, these workshops help carers better advocate for themselves and those they care for. Carers are better connected and feel more able to support the person they care for. Carers who have attended these workshops have given some feedback about taking part in the workshops:
‘Very worthwhile and thought provoking. Good to share experiences.’
‘I learned quite a lot of new info but also got a lot from others in the group. I am more aware of what support is available.’
‘Great workshop, so much help and support from staff and other carers present.’
As community link workers, you may be having conversations with carers about different aspects of their caring role so please feel free to share information about our workshops and the wider support that Age Scotland can offer through our helpline, friendship service, publications and other services. Our online workshops can be booked here and we also work with local organisations to offer in person workshops where possible.
And if through your work as a community link worker, you wish to expand your own knowledge about aspects of dementia such as dementia awareness, dementia and communication, and carers’ rights, then please come and join us at our workshops as well.
Any questions, do get in touch with us here – we would love to hear from you.
