Left to right: Nikki Thomson, carer with Eildon Housing Association; Eildon tenant, Margaret Harrison; David Wilson-Wynne of the Dementia Services Development Centre

Supported living provider, Eildon Housing Association, has worked with dementia experts at the University of Stirling to develop bespoke training for staff.

The partnership is a first for the University of Stirling – a leader in healthy ageing research – and its world-renowned Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) and will see more than 230 members of staff trained to look at buildings from the perspective of a person living with dementia to identify areas for improvement.

David Wilson-Wynne, DSDC senior dementia care consultant, worked with Eildon to design the bespoke training programme for its care managers, which is now being cascaded to care staff.

Wilson-Wynne is sharing DSDC resources and his knowledge to help Eildon staff understand the importance of creating dementia-inclusive environments and improving dementia awareness.

He said: “At Stirling and the DSDC, it is our mission to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

“Two thirds of people living with a dementia diagnosis are living in our communities, so it is important that care partners, families, and communities have the tools to support them and understand their unique needs.

“That’s why this project with Eildon is an important step forward for the University of Stirling and for Eildon.

“We hope that this project can be replicated by other housing associations and local authorities so the stigma surrounding dementia continues to be broken down, and awareness of dementia continues to improve.”

Amanda Miller, director of community services at the Borders-based Eildon Housing Association, added: “Eildon is a fast-growing organisation with 3,000 homes and families.

“While we have good knowledge of dementia, we wanted to develop and embed best practice across all aspects of our service to be a dementia inclusive organisation.

“Our partnership with the University of Stirling means our teams will be providing the best person-centred support for people living with dementia.”

The collaboration has seen DSDC train 23 senior care staff across Eildon online and in person.

Topics included dementia and the brain, post-diagnostic support for people with dementia, meaningful connection and communication, and care planning.

The training package was mapped alongside the Scottish Dementia Strategy 2023, which provides a 10-year vision for change to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families, and care partners.