By Catherine Hunter
Copyright glasgowlive
Glasgow council has reaffirmed its commitment to create dementia friendly spaces across the city to ensure those with the condition feel more included and supported within their community.
During last week’s full council meeting, councillor Laura Doherty, city convenor for neighbourhoods, services and assets, told elected members that through Glasgow Life, the council had introduced dementia friendly principles within libraries and community facilities.
This included improved layouts, lighting, signage and trained staff all designed to make these spaces more welcoming and accessible.
It comes after councillor Lana Reid-McConnell asked what steps the council had taken to create dementia friendly spaces within its parks and other community facilities.
Councillor Doherty said: “Through Glasgow Life we have embedded dementia friendly principles into our libraries and community venues all of which now hold community partnership status from Alzheimer’s Scotland.
“This means improved layouts, lighting, signage and trained staff all designed to make spaces more welcoming and accessible. Our libraries also host dementia friendly activities like Remembering Scotland’s Reminiscence Sessions and the Be Well Plus programme which supports vulnerable and isolated residents through social and wellbeing focussed events.
“At Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, we have just launched a new season of our dementia friendly music programme running monthly until February 26.
“These free concerts offer a safe, stimulating environment where music helps reconnect people with cherished memories.
“We also take performances directly into care homes with shows like jack in the box bringing joy and connection to those unable to travel.
“In sport our dementia walking football programme in Toryglen continues to thrive and thanks to renewed funding from the McLay’s Dementia Trust which is a powerful example of how physical activity, adapted games and social interaction can enrich lives and reduce isolation.”
The city council is now actively seeking new funding to expand its reach and recently applied to Age Scotland and to the Scottish Government to deliver free concerts in Glasgow’s most deprived areas.
Councillor Doherty added: “Across all of this work we are collaborating with partners like Alzheimer’s Scotland and Playlists for Life to ensure our programmes are well integrated and responsive to the needs of our communities.
“Our goal is simple, to make Glasgow a city where people living with dementia feel safe, supported and truly part of the community.”
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