Never be alone in Dunbar

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.

 

Regular Weekly Meetings

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.

Continue reading Regular Weekly Meetings

Way to Go! Our new Moving Forward Group

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.

December 2024

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!!

Outings We Have Enjoyed in 2024

Thirty-Five of us sat down in June to celebrate National Carers Week with a sumptuous Afternoon Tea at Dunbar Garden Centre, when a great afternoon was had by all. We also enjoyed repeat visits to Lauderdale Park to play Petanque, and Amisfield Gardens to enjoy a walk and some flower-arranging.

Wonderful bus trips to Paxton House, Berwickshire and to The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels – so much fun!

Formation of New Subgroup of Dunbar Dementia Carers Support Group – Our ‘Moving Forward’ Group

Our Carers Group members have had a long journey since the group’s formation in 2015; sadly, there have been bereavements, and several members have had to deal with the challenges of a loved one being moved from the family home into hospital or a care facility.

The difficulties of adjusting to life on one’s own have long been recognised and with some generous funding from East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, in March this year, we were able to form a subgroup to assist with these challenges. This will be pilot scheme for the year, and we would hope to be able to obtain funds for this group for future years. The group, while still involved in many ways with its parent group, meets monthly, enjoying outings, get-togethers and companionship.

So far we have had lots of coffee and scones(!) at various local venues, and enjoyed a an Art Workshop with ‘The Creatives’, a shopping visit to The Fort, and an outing to Eyemouth. Loads more to look forward to!