Befriending Networks Launches Dementia Support Programme Across Scotland
By Lifestyle Correspondent
An Edinburgh charity has launched a new programme to help volunteers and community groups better support people living with dementia across Scotland.
Befriending Networks has unveiled Connected Lives: Dementia-Aware Volunteering, a 12-month initiative offering free dementia and social connection training for staff, volunteers and carers.
The project aims to strengthen befriending services and help more people living with dementia stay socially connected within their communities.
Research has shown chronic loneliness can increase the risk of dementia by 42%, while regular social interaction and activities can help people stay active and engaged.
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Over the next year, the charity will deliver accredited training both online and in person at 20 locations across Scotland, alongside free resources and an e-learning course for volunteers and carers.
Susan Hunter, chief executive of Befriending Networks, said social connection plays an important role in protecting wellbeing and brain health.
She said: “We know that staying socially connected is not just important for our wellbeing, it plays a vital role in protecting brain health and reducing the risk of dementia.
“Volunteers in communities across Scotland are already making a huge difference by offering time, compassion and connection. By supporting them with the right knowledge and skills, we can strengthen these protective connections.”
The charity said the programme is also designed to help staff and volunteers feel more confident when supporting people with dementia.
Victoria Galloway, learning and development manager at Befriending Networks, said:
“Too often, staff and volunteers feel isolated, under-resourced, or unsure whether they’re ‘doing it right’.
“Launching the Connected Lives programme means better-supported staff and volunteers, stronger befriending services, and, ultimately, more meaningful, respectful relationships for people living with dementia.”
The programme is funded through the Scottish Government’s Dementia Resilient Communities Fund.
