October – December 2015
West Lothian Service
Newsletter
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter
The Care Inspectorate visited the early onset project in June of this year to assess the quality of
support we provide, we achieved two goods and one very good in the areas looked at. As the
manager I was moved by the comments made by those who use the service and would like to thank
each carer and person with dementia who commented so positively. There is however always room
for improvement and we are constantly looking at ways we can improve the quality of the support we
provide.
Consultations are planned in the West Lothian area giving people living with early onset dementia
and their carers the opportunity to make any suggestions and give any feedback. The first of these
will be held on the 16th of November at Stadium House, Livingston at 10am. Please remember you
don’t have to wait for a formal opportunity to speak to me or any of the team, we are always
interested in hearing what you have to say so please give us a call on 0131 551 9350. We know the
people we support deserve the very best and it is our desire to deliver just that.
Alan
Service Manager
Staff News
New Start – We were joined in September by a new Project Administrator, Katarzyna Jamruzka.
Katarzyna will be helping Jennifer Hawksworth with the Forget-Me-Not Project.
Award – Julia Mackenzie our West Lothian Dementia Link Worker won the Innovation in Dementia
Practice Award at our Alzheimer Scotland Staff and Volunteer Conference which took place in
Glasgow on Tuesday the 3rd of November. Well done Julia!!
Retirement – After 4 years with Alzheimer Scotland Mary McKenzie our Dementia Advisor will be
retiring at the end of November, we all wish her well for the future. We are currently advertising for a
new Dementia Advisor to take Mary’s place and will provide further details of the new post holder in
the next newsletter.
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453
West Lothian Service Newsletter
Day Opportunities Programme
September
We had such a beautiful day for our Seagull Trust Barge ride from Ratho to
Uphall, fun and sun on deck and a light lunch. Many thanks again to the
Seagull Trust for their support.
Later in September we had a nail morning (girls only!), thanks Kathleen. We
then all ventured to Airdrie and District fishing lodge for a walk alongside the
loch and finished the day with tea/coffee at Morrisons Bathgate. The staff
were a big help as always.
October
October started with a trip out to Summerleas Transport Museum and park in
Coatbridge. A new venue to the group and somewhere we will definitely go back
to as we had a great day.
The end of October saw a craft expert come along to assist us with flower
arranging and paper craft at Answer House.
Our Day Club Organiser would like to thank the following groups/individuals for their generous
donations throughout the past few months:Linda Reynolds, Jim Wishart and Uphall Golf Club
Future Events
November
T.B.C
December
Christmas meal and activities planned for the 15th of December.
This will be our last day before Christmas. It is expected that we
will be returning on Tuesday the 19th of January. If you attend
this group you will receive confirmation of this from our
administrator.
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453
West Lothian Service Newsletter
Dementia Friendly Bathgate
Things over the summer months have been picking up a real pace
with everyone we have talked to being really interested about making and being
part of Dementia Friendly Bathgate. We have 13 businesses / organisations that
have shown an interest and have started the process on becoming part of the
dementia friendly community with over 90 people having already undertaken the
dementia friends awareness sessions.
Both Tesco and Morrison’s supermarkets have signed up to work towards being a dementia friendly
community with the first staff of Tesco undertaking their sessions at the start of October, with Boghall
Community Centre, Specsavers, St Columba’s Church and the Kaim Park Hotel about to
commence staff awareness sessions.
We also made our presence known at Bathgate’s Party in the Park and Wester Inch Community
Autumn Fayre. It was fantastic that so many people came up to chat to us and tell us their stories.
To highlight World Alzheimer day in September an open Dementia Friends awareness day at the
Partnership Centre in Bathgate was held with staff and the public coming along and becoming a
dementia friend.
We are still receiving feedback from our user survey and would like as many people as possible to
give us their views. If you know of anyone in Bathgate or visit Bathgate regularly and would like to
complete our short survey please contact Cherie Raby on 01506 533 115.
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453
West Lothian Service Newsletter
Forget-Me-Not Project Update
The Forget-Me-Not Service is surging ahead with its intergenerational work.
Sixth Year pupils at Broxburn Academy and other Schools as well as
students from West Lothian College are undergoing training from Alzheimer
Scotland to prepare them for volunteering in their local care homes with the
residents. They have also received reminiscence training with the Living
Memory Association.
Some examples of the role they play is organising tea parties and supporting
the residents with activities such as musical bingo, singing, quizzes and
general reminiscence. The pupils can learn about the resident’s lives and experiences and often go
back home and do some research into what they have heard. One pupil had never heard of Elvis
Presley much to the amusement of the residents. On his next visit he brought pictures he had
downloaded and also played some Elvis music.
Living Well at Home with Dementia
A new information booklet has been produced by West Lothian Council to
support people with dementia, their family and carers.
This booklet recognises how important it is for people to remain as
independent and active as possible and the positive effect this has on their
health and wellbeing.
The “Living Well at Home with Dementia” booklet is designed to help
people with dementia, their families & carers to consider the current & potential issues that may arise
in the home environment, and also in the wider community. Possible sources of further help and
advice are given and some practical solutions are suggested.
The Scottish Government has identified dementia as a national priority, and the “Living Well at
Home with Dementia” booklet was devised in response to their National Dementia Strategy (20132016). One of the objectives of this strategy is for people with dementia, their families and carers to
receive good quality information, and be able to access care, support and advice easily. Therefore,
this booklet was developed by a group of Community Occupational Therapists in West Lothian
Council to provide practical suggestions, information on available services and how to access support
within West Lothian.
It can be used by: Professionals, to signpost people with dementia/families/carers to services and support.
 People with dementia/families/carers, for advice/suggestions about issues with day to day tasks.
For further information, or copies of this booklet, please contact Fiona Clyne on 01506 775666 or the
Alzheimer Scotland office for the electronic version.
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453
West Lothian Service Newsletter
What’s On in November & December …..
Bathgate Memory Café
Kaim Park Hotel, Bathgate
2nd November & 7th December from 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Café Connect Extra - Livingston
Dedridge Baptist Church, Livingston
4th November & 2nd December from 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Memory Café – Livingston North
Newyearfield Farm Community Centre, Livingston
5th November & 3rd December from 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Dementia Café – Whitburn
ANSWER HOUSE, Reveston Lane, Whitburn
10th November & 8th December from 2.00pm – 3.15pm
The People’s Café – Uphall
St Andrews Care Home, Uphall
24th November & 8th December from 11.00am – 1.30pm
Forget Me Not Café – East Calder
East Calder Parish Church Hall, East Calder
26th November & 17th December from 10.00am - 12.00pm
The Sunlight Café – Fauldhouse
The Partnership Centre, Fauldhouse
26th November from 1.30pm – 3.00pm, no café in December
The Caring Café – Linlithgow
The Lowport Centre, Linlithgow
18th November & 16th December from 10.00am – 12.00pm
These are groups for
people who are able to
attend safely on their own
or who are accompanied
by someone to support
them.
The 2016 Dementia Café
Leaflet should be available
around the middle
December
Memory Cave Café – Armadale
The Community Centre, North Street, Armadale
20th November & 18th December (To be confirmed) from 10.30am – 12.00pm
Football Memories
Alzheimer Scotland Office, Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
24th November from 10.30am – 12.00pm, no group in December
Golf Memories
Uphall Golf Club, Houston Mains, Uphall, EH52 6JT
10th November & 8th December from 11.00am – 12.15pm
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453
West Lothian Service Newsletter
Fundraising
West Lothian Memory Walks 2015 Update
We would like to thank all those who came along to either the Livingston or Linlithgow Memory
Walks. As it stands the walks together have raised a fantastic total of around £14,000 so far with
monies still coming in and some Gift Aid to be added.
Edinburgh & the Lothians Facebook Page
Our Alzheimer Scotland Edinburgh & the Lothians Facebook page is gathering
momentum, we currently have 380 likes. Liking the page will allow you to keep up to
date with services, resources, events and fundraising across Edinburgh & the Lothians.
You can access our Facebook page by clicking on the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/alzscotedinburghandlothians
Dobbies Collection
We have another collection and information stand at Dobbies, Livingston on Saturday the 14 th of
November. Please come and speak to us if you’re in the area.
Fundraising Volunteer Event
A fundraising volunteer event is planned at our National Office in Edinburgh on the 8th of February.
There will be two sessions, a morning session from 10am – 12 noon and an afternoon session from
1.30pm – 3.30pm. They will be very informal and will allow us to tell you a little more about our
mission at Alzheimer Scotland and how, by volunteering your time, you can help us to achieve that
mission. Places are limited, and if you would like to come along please contact Abby on 07795
316741 or email aparkhouse@alzscot.org to book your place. Thank you and we hope to see you
there!
West Lothian Service, Unit 114/115 Stadium House, Alderstone Road, Livingston, EH54 7DN
Telephone 01506 533 108 Email WestLothianServices@Alzscot.org Website www.alzscot.org
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN 0131 243 1453