Drew Cochrane on community efforts for people with dementia

He was acknowledging that Alzheimer's is one of the fastest spreading diseases in the country.  All of us know someone who has or had it. Some of us will live with it.

I used to take a friend with the condition to the walking football sessions at Inverclyde Sports Centre. He didn't know which way he was kicking, and often wandered off the playing area during the games.

However, we let him take penalty kicks, and he always said to me: "This is fantastic." The post-match session in the Inverclyde cafe, chatting to the other old fogeys, also invigorated him. Covid put paid to that and, sadly, he passed away in a home.

It gave me satisfaction that I was befriending Peter for a short time in his clouded, confused week, and that his wife was benefitting from having some hours to herself. Families living with someone who has Alzheimer's desperately need a break from time to time.

Therefore, I'm pleased to report that there is a move towards setting up an organised befriending service in Largs and district with a bespoke 'wellbeing cafe', where dementia is not mentioned, and all it requires is volunteers.

Our local Dementia Friendly Committee met with Alexis Wallace of the Ayrshire Independent Living Network, who has issued an appeal for anyone with a few hours per week to spare for one to one befriending. It involves helping someone with early stage dementia to access the community.

Already, there is a wellbeing cafe in Saltcoats which is filled to capacity with free tea and food and activities for folk and their carers. With National Lottery grants and fundraising, all it would take for a similar one in Largs would be people willing to help.

One of the astonishing facts in North Ayrshire is that  the council only provides one year's support for someone who has been diagnosed with dementia. Then it is taken away, on the basis that they don't want anyone to become dependent on it. It's disgraceful. It doesn't help that the council only has one dedicated worker.

Alexis Wallace, who started as a volunteer at the former Helter Skelter community club on the Largs seafront, and is an experienced social carer, is hoping to be the co-ordinator of a new befriending service.

Nowadays, there are more referrals of those living with Alzheimer's than there are volunteers. Importantly, the service is available to those who don't have a diagnosis.

I know a befriender who meets a local man to go for a walk, a coffee and to chat about their mutual love of football. Another volunteer drove a man to the area in which he grew up and spent his boyhood to aid his memory. There is an elderly lady in West Kilbride who has benefitted from a visiting befriender as her only daughter lives in France.

Ayrshire Living Network provide training and reimburse out of pocket expenses such as lunches and car mileage. Volunteers can earn references for employment and other recognition.

If you, or someone you know, would like to volunteer a few hours a week, contact Alexis on 07771453192 or 01294 475682, or email her at befriending@ailn.org.

Thought for the Week: It's not the stab in the back that hurts you. It's when you turn around and see who's holding the knife.

I DON'T know who is responsible for nominating local people for an honours award, but I would recommend to them Largs activist Robbie Stevenson.

Not only does he devote a lot of time to the activities of Largs Community Council, but he set up and spearheads the great work of Dementia Friendly Largs & District.

Largs activist Robbie Stevenson. (Image: Newsquest)

Robbie, a successful businessman, also helped create and looks after the lovely community garden opposite Homemount House, and is the leader of the Largs Litter campaign (he cleans up, not scatters it). 

He also chairs the local Food Access programme which provides meals for the needy and contributions to projects like the new Food Larder.

Last year Robbieobtained a grant from the Reo Stakis company, which owns the forestry and hydro station on the Largs hills. When some of the money went to the Nazarene Church to lay on free dinners, particularly at Christmas, he sent photos, which brought tears to the eyes of company boss Andros Stakis.

So much so that Stakis have provided another £4,400 donation to be split between Dementia Friendly and community work. An MBE wouldn't be out of the question.