Dunbar Dementia Network exists to provide both regular and special support to those caring for others who are living with dementia or related conditions.
The charity is most appreciative of all donations which go towards providing this much needed support.
The menus on the left provides more details of these activities and how to get in contact with us easily.
Every effort is made to network with the other organisations in the area who can also provide assistance and support so that the charity can become a go-to place for anyone seeking advice on such matters.
Dunbar Dementia Carers Support Group (established in 2015) aims to provide support for anyone who is caring for a family member or friend who is living with a diagnosis of a dementia related condition. Pre-covid our two groups would meet weekly in the Bleachingfield Centre in Dunbar to provide companionship, fellowship and stimulation. We worked hard during Lockdown to provide continuity for our group members with weekly phone calls; publishing regular newsletters, providing deliveries of craft materials, gardening supplies and takeaway afternoon teas, moving on to organising both one-to-one and small, socially distanced, outdoor meetings within Scottish Government guidelines, when this was permissible.
The fantastic weather during the Summer was the icing on the cake for our outdoor activities, with visits to Lauderdale Park for Petanque and an outing to Amisfield Gardens. Our Moving Forward Group had a great day out in Eyemouth, with Fish Teas and ice creams galore, and enjoyed a visit to local drama group’s (DADADA) production, at West Barns Village Hall. In September we all went off to Ratho for another cruise on the Seagull Trust barges – a great favourite. We also held fundraising Afternoon Tea Parties in aid of St Columba’s Hospice, raising £250, and for Macmillan, raising £300.
The Autumn months saw us enjoying Poetry readings on National Poetry Day, as well as our Halloween party. Throughout the seasons we enjoyed our regular Chair Exercise/Relaxation sessions, as well as lively Zumba sessions. We were also entertained by Dunbar Ukulele Band and Gullane Community Ceilidh Band. We then settled into Winter with a fantastic Book Week Scotland event, with author Fiona Valpy (organised by Lorna Hill of Sharing a Story CIC), Christmas Craft sessions and a wonderful finale at Winterfield for our Christmas Lunch. The Moving Forward group also had several lunch outings and a trip to the Panto in Haddington.
Zoom sessions ran throughout the year when we, sadly, came to the end of our Spanish lessons at the end of August, but enjoyed talks from the Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle and several cookery demonstrations from Vegetarian for Life.
Another great year when we can look back fondly at shared memories for our Carers of times spent with lovely memories of old friends, while honouring the loss of several group members who all brought their own magic to the group. New members joined and settled in well, and we are looking forward to making new friends in 2026. Our heartfelt thanks to all who continue to support us
We have had an exceptionally lively and interesting first 6 months of the year, with outings to Holyrood Palace (Carers Group) and the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh and the Balmoral Hotel for Afternoon Tea (Moving Forward Group). We have raised funds for Myeloma Uk (Feb) and Project Linus (April); enjoyed visits from Linkworkers from Alzheimer Scotland, the Falls Team, Ability.Net and Carers of East Lothian. The ‘Herbour Mooths’ entertained us, Ruth has had us dancing, while Chris has had us relaxing!
The highlight of the period was our 10th Anniversary Party in March – what a fantastic afternoon of song, dance, great food and fantastic company. We also celebrated National Carers Week and Volunteers Week.
Our Zoom group have enjoyed talks from the Royal Collection Trust and Cookery demonstrations from Vegetarian for Life, and have been busy since April, learning Spanish with Lingo Flamingo!
Thanks to generous funding from ELHSCP for its pilot year, our Moving Forward Group has gone from strength to strength! Since March 2024 we have enjoyed bus outings to Eyemouth and Fort Kinnaird, lunches out, a visit to the King’s Gallery, Holyrood Palace, Burger Night in East Linton, 2 visits to DADADA (Dunbar and District Amateur Dramatic Association) theatre productions (both wonderful!), as well as coffees & scones, plus a couple of visits to the Creatives Studio, Dunbar where we have enjoyed art therapy workshops.
This has been such valuable initiative for all concerned and it would be wonderful to be able to continue with this programme for years to come.
We ended an action-packed year with some real fun activities, from making Christmas table decorations, enjoying a Zoom Christmas cookery demonstration and festive Chair Zumba (so lucky to have Ruth Hunter Pepper join us for a regular monthly session, thanks to ELHSCP). Christmas Lunch was once again held at Winterfield Golf Club (delicious!). The year culminated in a wonderful outing to the Usher Hall, Edinburgh (our thanks to BeGreen Dunbar/Community Windpower for funding transport), to enjoy the rehearsal of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra – just fantastic!!
There is nothing we like better than sitting round a table enjoying great company and delicious food. Our annual fundraiser for Macmillan, once again raised £300 (this year we have also raised money for Project Linus and Leuchie House).
Halloween gave us all the opportunity to dress up and have a bit of fun!
