A SPECIAL event designed to look at how Dunbar can become more dementia friendly is being held at the end of the month.

Dementia Friendly Dunbar was formed earlier this year and hosts its first public event in the town’s Bleachingfield Centre on May 30.

Pippa Swan, who was heavily involved in setting up the group, explained the event aimed to achieve three things.

She said: “Firstly, giving information to anybody and everybody who wants to know more about dementia and its impacts.

“Secondly, we would like to give opportunities for support and information to families and carers who are experiencing dementia in any of its stages.

“Finally, we are looking to find out what our community needs, wants and can offer in the way of supports and resources for those affected by the impacts of dementia.” The results will be used to help shape Dementia Friendly Dunbar as it moves forward.

The Bleachingfield Centre, on the town’s Countess Crescent, will welcome representatives from more than 20 different organisations, ranging from the emergency services and community wardens to Dunbar Men’s Shed and legal advice, between 1pm and 4pm.

Dementia Friendly Dunbar meets in the Bleachingfield Centre and is aiming to highlight that there is “a real need” for action to improve services related to dementia in the Dunbar and East Linton ward.

Mrs Swan, who is also one of the town’s community councillors, told the Courier that a lot of work had been done but the public event was a big step forward.

She encouraged people to go along and added: “I think for us it is really important when you set up to begin to take note. We had no idea what Dementia Friendly meant.

“What we felt was that, in order to assess demand, we really needed to have an event to try to let us understand what the needs of the community were before we started off potentially down the wrong path. We are hoping to get good feedback on the day as to where people need more help and support.” A number of other dementia friendly groups have already been set up in the county, in places such as Tranent, North Berwick, Haddington and Musselburgh.

Now, Mrs Swan was hoping the event would point Dementia Friendly Dunbar in the correct direction.

She added: “It may be one big group or small particular interest groups. Some individuals are interested in exploring how we improve the respite on offer in the area.” A SPECIAL event designed to look at how Dunbar can become more dementia friendly is being held at the end of the month.

Dementia Friendly Dunbar was formed earlier this year and hosts its first public event in the town’s Bleachingfield Centre on May 30.

Pippa Swan, who was heavily involved in setting up the group, explained the event aimed to achieve three things.

She said: “Firstly, giving information to anybody and everybody who wants to know more about dementia and its impacts.

“Secondly, we would like to give opportunities for support and information to families and carers who are experiencing dementia in any of its stages.

“Finally, we are looking to find out what our community needs, wants and can offer in the way of supports and resources for those affected by the impacts of dementia.” The results will be used to help shape Dementia Friendly Dunbar as it moves forward.

The Bleachingfield Centre, on the town’s Countess Crescent, will welcome representatives from more than 20 different organisations, ranging from the emergency services and community wardens to Dunbar Men’s Shed and legal advice, between 1pm and 4pm.

Dementia Friendly Dunbar meets in the Bleachingfield Centre and is aiming to highlight that there is “a real need” for action to improve services related to dementia in the Dunbar and East Linton ward.

Mrs Swan, who is also one of the town’s community councillors, told the Courier that a lot of work had been done but the public event was a big step forward.

She encouraged people to go along and added: “I think for us it is really important when you set up to begin to take note. We had no idea what Dementia Friendly meant.

“What we felt was that, in order to assess demand, we really needed to have an event to try to let us understand what the needs of the community were before we started off potentially down the wrong path. We are hoping to get good feedback on the day as to where people need more help and support.” A number of other dementia friendly groups have already been set up in the county, in places such as Tranent, North Berwick, Haddington and Musselburgh.

Now, Mrs Swan was hoping the event would point Dementia Friendly Dunbar in the correct direction.

She added: “It may be one big group or small particular interest groups. Some individuals are interested in exploring how we improve the respite on offer in the area.” ”