LEADER funded projects partner up to help people with dementia in rural communities

The Haven, a registered charity which provides support to families affected by a range of life limiting illnesses has been awarded funding from LEADER, a European funding programme which supports rural community and business projects.

The Haven has been awarded funding to pilot a ‘Dementia Connected and Supportive Communities Project’. The project will see The Haven partner with Kirrie Connections, a dementia supportive charity in Angus. Sharing learning and good practice will be key to creating strong dementia supportive communities and helping families in the local communities of Forth, Braehead, Auchingray, Woolfords, Tarbrax and Kirriemuir cope with the emotional and physical aspects of living with dementia.

Louise Gardner, Service Development Manager for The Haven said: “The Dementia Connected and Supportive Communities Project will enhance The Haven’s approach and its ongoing specialist work in supporting families facing the challenges of life limiting illness.”

“By facilitating local communities to become dementia connected to Haven services and by increasing their knowledge of other services in their area we can  work together to make a positive long term difference.”

“Ultimately we want to make a lasting difference to the people of rural Lanarkshire through the ongoing development of The Haven and its services. We look forward to working with the team at Kirrie Connections, sharing learning with them and wider community stakeholders in Lanarkshire and Angus, which we hope will lead to financial sustainability for both organisations and improved networks of supportive services in the community.”

The Haven, which has three centres including a purpose built facility in Forth, offers programmes of support designed to help individuals and their carers cope with the physical, emotional and practical aspects of their illness and provides support for people at all stages from the point of diagnosis onwards and is specifically tailored to meet their needs.  The charity operates as drop in centres with no need for medical referral and all services are provided free of charge.

For more information on how The Haven can support you or how you can support The Haven please visit www.thehavencentre.com. Alternatively you can call 01555 811846 or email forth@thehavencentre.com