Events – Dunbar Dementia Network SCIO

January – June 2025

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!

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.

Macmillan Fundraising Afternoon Tea Party, Sept 24 and Halloween Party!

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!

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!