Wendy Mitchell 1956 – 2024,  who has written 3 best-sellers,all worth a read, who was was shocked at the lack of information and support available to those newly diagnosed in 2014. See her obituary here.

Agnes Houston MBE is living with dementia since 2006 and still active on facebook.  See her story here.

Agnes has contributed to Dementia Diaries (see below video) and written this E-book with Julie Christie “Talking Sense”.

Alzheimers is not just about Memory Loss

Here are some People in the Borders who have recorded their feelings about living with Dementia for your inspiration.

Dementia Voices on Vimeo

Ron Coleman – Chair of Meeting Centres Scotland Board of Trustees. Living with Dementia and Diabetes Type 2, Playwright, Actor, Poet, musician and singer – an inspirational person living with dementia and influential in the forward plans of Meeting Centres Scotland and Scottish Government.

Fundamental in creating Dementia Festival of Arts and Culture Scotland – Inverness in 2023 and Edinburgh in 2024.

STAND in Fife https://www.standinfife.org/

Striving Towards A New Day  – Young early onset group of persons living with dementia and how they have become movers and shakers in Scotland – creating their own publications and giving talks and workshops to other projects in their infancy.

DEEP https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/

The UK Network of Dementia voices – Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project

~ Marion Henthorn ~

My Dementia Journey so far


My dementia journey started when I realised that I was having increasing problems in my work as a Neurological Physiotherapist about seven years ago.

These problems included very short-term memory, processing and use of IT. My GP at the time felt that there was nothing wrong so I self-referred to ‘Recog Health’ in London (a research company looking at dementia cure and management) as I lived in Hertfordshire then.

I was not able to match the criteria for their research programme at that time, but having a background of working with neurological patients I was perhaps more aware of my problems. This has also helped me bring knowledge from my personal circumstances to Dementia Friendly Tweedale (DFT).

Not long after moving to the Scottish Borders I went to see my new GP and was referred to be tested by the local NHS Adult Services Memory Clinic who, taking me more seriously, gave me the diagnosis of Alzhiemer’s. I was prescribed medication, which did not agree with me.

I tried different medication options, some of which made me extremely nauseous, which incapacitated me. In discussion with my very supportive GP I decided not to take any further medication.

I further researched and found what was ‘The Glasgow Memory Clinic’, now known as ‘NeuroClin Glasgow’. Here I am now involved in one of their research programmes which I attend on a monthly basis. I volunteered to be part of their programme although I recognise it will be unlikely to benefit me it will others in the future.

I heard through chatting with friends in the Peebles Community Garden that there was a dementia group in its infancy and I asked if they would like someone with dementia to be part of the group; and here we are.

Having already worked with people with neurological problems I felt I was in a good position to share any knowledge and experience.

In the near future I would like to see DFT and other local support groups join together in finding a suitable permanent venue that we can all utilise and share resources. Also to share costs and experiences, to become a stronger facility for all to use.

I have had the opportunity to join some fantastic groups in Peebles, from the local community garden, Memory Lane Music and a running group called ‘The Pink Panthers’. All of which I have been made to feel very welcomed and supported.

My last word would be to always let people know your diagnosis as you will be surprised at how helpful and supportive people are, which will enable individuals to lead a full, meaningful and valued quality of life.