Scotmid Co-operative held a wonderful vintage tea party – complete with bunting and cakes – at the East Calder Dementia Café with our 2015/16 charity partners, Alzheimer Scotland and Alzheimer’s Society, to celebrate raising over £132,000 just six months in.
Over the last 6 months, Scotmid Co-operative staff, members and customers from the Lake District to the Black Isle, and our businesses – Scotmid, Lakes and Dales, Semichem, funerals and property – have been busy challenging dementia by taking part in a variety of quirky fundraising activities including sponsored head shaves, extreme haircuts, fancy dress days, race nights, coffee mornings and store raffles. All monies raised will go towards funding specialist Dementia Advisors as well as supporting a wide range of vital community initiatives such as the Dementia Cafes, singing groups, allotments and reminiscence projects up and down the country.
The monthly ‘Forget me Not’ café, one of many supported by Alzheimer Scotland and Alzheimer’s Society across the UK, provides a relaxed and friendly meeting place for people with dementia and those who care for them. Nobody should face dementia alone and dementia cafes offer a vital form of support for many people living with the illness and their families.
Aileen Eland, Practice Team Leader, Alzheimer Scotland Edinburgh and West Lothian Services, said: “Our Dementia Cafés are designed to support those people living with a dementia diagnosis who may be experiencing a whole range of emotions. I am delighted that Scotmid Co-operative chose to celebrate their half year milestone with the volunteers and residents from our East Calder Dementia Café. The dementia café offers a real lifeline to residents, offering a meeting place to talk about dementia and enjoy a cup of tea and cake.”