Fifty Plus Caring Project
Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding. It is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004.
The Big Lottery Fund is investing in Scotland’s communities through its Investing in Communities portfolio as well as small grants schemes such as Awards for All and 2014 Communities.
Visit Big Lottery Fund website
Project Background
One of the major changes people unexpectedly meet is becoming a carer for a eprson with dementia (such as a parent or a partner). This can lead to other major life changes such as having to retire early, losing usual social support networks. This may make the transition into caring difficult. Carers may become isolated and not know where to obtain help and support.
People with dementia and their carers often come into contact with a range of health and social care professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, care workers and volunteers. Research shows that in spite of this contact, carers often do not receive useful information and support that would make their transition to caring easier. Research also shows that the workers themselves often lack specialist training and sources of information to help carers through these changes in their lives.
Dementia Services Development Centre has obtained funding from Big Lottery to improve the lives of carers in the Lothian area over a 3-year period (2010-2013). The project's aim is to design and deliver education, coaching and skills training to professionals who come into contact with those with dementia and their carers. The project is providing free workplace training, accredited coruses, information distribution via publications, offering consultancies and evaluating views and experiences of professionals as well as carers.
Please click here to view the milestones of the project.
Contact Us
If you would like any further information about the project or have any questions, please contact us
