Event highlights help for people with dementia

Over 2,000 people are currently living with dementia in East Dunbartonshire.

The PRESENT event at Woodhill Evangelical Church between 1.30pm to 3.30pm will highlight the co-production work that has been developed by people living with dementia, East Dunbartonshire Council and its partners in the Dementia Network, the Joint Improvement Team and partner organisation Governance International.

Guests will find out about the rights and responsibilities of all participants in a co-production relationship and discovering how to do co-production at a personal, community and organisational level.

Councillor Michael O’Donnell, convener of the social work committee, said: “Much can be done to make a real difference with people living with dementia. PRESENT aims to give people living with dementia a stronger

presence in local communities and public services and enable them to make a contribution to other people’s quality of life.

“Co-production means thinking differently, moving from consultation to engagement, and affects how we deliver public services. It means moving from needs assessments to capability assessments.

“This kind of approach recognises that people are experts in their own lives and helps bring them together with public services to participate in shaping different types of support and become involved in the delivery of services.

“It means shifting the focus from services that we think people need to providing outcomes that local people themselves believe to be priorities.”

The council works with its partners in the Dementia Network such as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and voluntary associations including Ceartas, Alzheimer Scotland and Carers Link, amongst many others, to provide support and information for people affected by dementia, their families and carers.

Co-production recognises that people have assets such as knowledge, skills, experience, friends, family and communities which can be brought to bear to support their health and wellbeing.

Councillor O’Donnell added: “People living with dementia can, if given the right circumstances, impact not only on their own quality of life but also on the quality of life of other people living in East Dunbartonshire.”

To find out more about the initiatives that have already been developed, book your place at the PRESENT showcase by emailing [email protected] or contact Ceartas on 0141 775 0433.