SCOTTISH OPERA’S MEMORY SPINNERS PROJECT SHORTLISTED FOR SCOTLAND’S DEMENTIA AWARDS

Scottish Opera’s Memory Spinners project has been shortlisted in the Best Community Support Initiative category of Scotland’s Dementia Awards 2017.

A partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council, the awards announced the finalists for their sixth annual Awards which set out to recognise the work of those committed to helping people living with dementia and their families.

Judged by a panel of senior health and social service 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.

Memory Spinners has been shortlisted in the Best Community Support Initiative category alongside Boogie at the Bar (The Active Aberdeen Partnership, The Foundry, Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Alzheimer’s Scotland and M&S Bank) and Musical Memories Springburn (Springburn Parish Church).

A project run by Scottish Opera for participants living with dementia and their carers or support workers, Memory Spinners is supported by a team of multi-art form artists and volunteers. Using an opera from the current repertoire as a creative starting point, the group devises its own interpretation of the opera through songs, movement, drama and art activities over the course of eight weeks, culminating in a performance for friends and family.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland and Chair of Scotland’s Dementia Awards, said: ‘Scotland’s Dementia Awards celebrate the work of both professionals and community groups who are committed to helping people with dementia and their families. All of our finalists this year are extremely deserving for their commitment in supporting people living with dementia and their families and we look forward to saying a big thank you to all our finalists and winners on the day.’

Winners will be announced at an awards event on World Alzheimer’s Day (21 September) at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow.