Dementia Friendly Tweeddale has been awarded £10,000 by Scottish Government this year to put towards creating a Meeting Centre for Tweeddale in Peebles.
We have the backing of Meeting Centres Scotland https://www.meetingcentres.scot/ and the East of Scotland Meeting Centres Team to set this up. This is a golden opportunity for the whole community to get behind a very worthwhile project. It is estimated that by 2050 dementia is going to affect one in two of us, either by having it ourselves or by living with and/or Caring for a person who has been diagnosed, or knowing someone who has it. Currently in Peebles we can speculate there are probably about 200 people with a diagnosis who are in the 80 – 100+ age bracket.
Every Meeting Centre is unique, shaped by the choices of its members and the resources of its community. However, all Meeting Centres incorporate some core features and values. These are outlined in the guide 11 Essential Features of a Meeting Centre, produced by the University of Worcester. https://www.meetingcentres.scot/the-meeting-centre-model/
Accumulated research evidence now shows the effectiveness of Meeting Centres in enhancing and sustaining independence and well-being for people affected by dementia.
Our plans are ongoing and when finalised will be published in full on this website.
Exciting times are ahead. We need the backing of our whole Peebles and Tweeddale Community to sustain this venture.
