Scotland’s Dementia Awards: recognising health, social and community based achievement for dementia in Scotland

Today sees the launch of the first ever Scotland’s Dementia Awards: a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council. The event will take place on Thursday 20 September 2012 at Hampden Stadium, in celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day. The keynote address will be given by the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Closing date for applications is Friday 13 July.

Scotland’s Dementia Awards will celebrate the work of both professionals and community groups who are committed to helping people with dementia and their families. The awards will showcase the creativity, innovation and dedication that make a real difference to the daily lives of people with dementia and their families across Scotland when organisations, groups and teams work together.

There are six award categories for the inaugural event:

• Best acute care initiative

• Best innovation in continuing care

• Best community support initiative

• Best dementia friendly community initiative

• Best educational initiative

• Most innovative partnership

Every day, people with dementia and their families face the challenge of living well with dementia. Thousands of staff, across the health, social care and community sectors, go above and beyond their individual roles to make a real difference to the lives of people with this illness. Scotland’s Dementia Awards are a celebration of staff who have risen to the challenge of helping people to live well with dementia in our society. Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland

 We are delighted to be working with our partners in supporting these awards.  They present an excellent opportunity to celebrate the pivotal role of education and training in developing the health and social care workforce to promote excellence in the support and care provided to people with dementia and their families. Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland

 Scotland’s Dementia Awards will be an excellent platform to showcase the dedication and ever creative approaches to dementia care in Scotland.  We look forward to the Awards as an additional part of the process in Scotland of recognising and sharing the importance of listening and learning from the lived experience of dementia and caring for someone with dementia. Gerry McLaughlin, Chief Executive of NHS Health Scotland

 The social services and health workforce is enormous. People such as care home staff, doctors, social workers, nurses, receptionists, care at home staff and occupational therapists can all be part of a better future for people with dementia, their families and carers in Scotland. Whether working alone or in teams, with partners in the community, in housing services or the arts, these awards will recognise the difference we can make to the quality of people’s lives. Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Social Service Council

 To find out more about Scotland’s Dementia Awards, visit www.ScotlandsDementiaAwards.org.uk or email ScotlandsDementiaAwards@alzscot.org.