Boogie in the Bar has been announced as Best Community Support Initiative at this year’s Scotland’s Dementia Awards held in Glasgow today.

Scotland’s Dementia Awards, a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council, recognise the work of those committed to helping people living with dementia and their families.

Rigorously judged by a panel of senior health, social service and third sector professionals alongside people with dementia and carers, the Awards celebrate creative approaches, innovation and best practice in all aspects of information, advice, care and support for people living with dementia.

Boogie in the Bar is a dementia-friendly afternoon disco aimed at over 50s and takes place at The Foundry bar in Aberdeen.

It started after a conversation between Anne Duncan, whose husband Bill was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 and Paula Bisset, Development Office with Sport Aberdeen. Anne and Bill love to dance, but they didn’t want a tea dance- they wanted to go to a disco!

Anne then met with partners of Active Aberdeen Partnership, Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC Community Trust as well as The Wellbeing Team (Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership) and Alzheimer Scotland.
AFCCT suggested The Foundry and Alzheimer Scotland involved the local branch of Marks & Spencer Bank who provide the food.

Boogie in the Bar is a chance for people with dementia, carers and relations to come together, enjoy a drink and dance with old and new friends.

The event, which aims to bring people together in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere has received high praise from participants and carers, with on couple commenting, "This was a brilliant event, my husband and I had a great time and it took us back to a time when we used to dance. It allowed both of us an afternoon away from the Dementia diagnosis."

While another participant said, "I thought Boogie in the Bar was a great way of getting people together with music, dance and movement! As this was a part of like that was enjoyed very much back when we were young but we still enjoy now as pensioners."

Dementia affects around 90,000 people across Scotland and by 2020 it is estimated that there will be over 1 million people living with the illness in the UK.

With extensive support from Life Changes Trust, AFCCT has attempted to create an environment suitable for those living with dementia to become involved in health and wellbeing programmes through a person-centred, city-wide partnership approach for people living with dementia.

Aberdeen FC Community Trust would also like to thank The Foundry for their continued dedication and support at various events throughout the year.

For more information on Aberdeen FC Community Trust’s dementia friendly programmes email dementiafriendly@afccommunitytrust.org