Inverness primary pupils help raise dementia awareness with Alzheimer Scotland

Today, 25 March, a group of Primary 4/5 pupils from Cauldeen Primary School  visited Alzheimer Scotland’s Highland Dementia Resource Centre in Strothers Lane for a very special prizegiving ceremony.

For the past four weeks, local Alzheimer Scotland staff have visited the class to help raise awareness about dementia and the pupils were given the task of creating artwork to be displayed in the centre. They have painted many lovely pictures, which show an open-minded and friendly attitude to people with dementia. They have also commented on their experience of the project, which has been extremely positive. 

Over these weeks, the children have not only learned about dementia, but have got to know Nancy and Robert, two people with dementia who are also part of the newly formed Highland Dementia Working Group. Nancy and Robert have helped the pupils learn about how dementia affects their daily life, but also how people can live positively with the illness. The project has been a partnership between Highland Council’s Education & Learning department and Alzheimer Scotland.

Geraldine Ditta, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisor for Alzheimer Scotland said, “Raising awareness of dementia is important. Going into schools, talking about dementia, it all helps to break down barriers. We can encourage children to view people with dementia as People, not just a diagnosis. It is vital we reach the younger generation in raising dementia awareness: children are the health and social care professionals of the future, and the family carers of the future too.”
Nancy McAdam from the Highland Dementia Working Group said, “It’s been a fantastic experience. The children were so enthusiastic! Arms up all the time, asking great questions. They really wanted to know more.”

Emma Chisholm, P4/5 teacher at Cauldeen Primary said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore a different area of Health and Well-being while sharing stories with people in the community.  They have really enjoyed working with Nancy and Robert and were pleasantly surprised to learn how independently people can live with dementia.”

This year, Alzheimer Scotland (along with its sister charities, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland) is being supported by Argos and Homebase to support people with dementia in their communities. Much of the funds raised will go towards our Dementia Advisors, such as Geraldine, and the work they do to make our local communities more dementia friendly. See here for further details.