Join us for the Launch of the Pollok Pledge November 28th 10:30am

Dementia Carer Voices, Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for Transport and Islands, and Glasgow Clyde College are teaming up to ask Pollok constituents to make a difference within their community.

Dementia Carer Voices, a project managed by the Health and Social Care Alliance (the ALLIANCE), has undertaken awareness raising activities, collecting 11,000 pledges as part of their You Can Make A Difference campaign which has engaged with 52,000 people over the course of 480 talks. The campaign has been taken across the UK to highlight that no matter what their role, everyone has the potential to transform the lives and experiences of people with dementia and their carers.

Dementia Carer Voices’ Project Engagement Lead Tommy Whitelaw is a life-long constituent of Pollok, where he was born and later returned to care for his late mum Joan, who had vascular dementia. From his caring experience he has since embarked on an awareness raising campaign, joining the ALLIANCE in order to tackle the loneliness and isolation that carers face through the You Can Make A Difference campaign.

Now, in partnership with Humza Yousaf MSP, and Glasgow Clyde College, Dementia Carer Voices would like to extend this invitation to make a pledge to the whole community of Pollok, to pledge not just to people living with dementia and their carers, but to their neighbours and wider community.

The launch of the community wide pledge is on Monday 28^th November from 10am – 12pm at Glasgow Clyde College Cardonald campus in the lecture theatre on the first floor, with tea and coffee in room 1.15. This will give constituents the chance to reach out to their neighbours and help reduce isolation and loneliness.

Agenda: Chaired by Irene Oldfather, Director at The ALLIANCE

• Arrive – 10am – Tea and coffee in room 1.15 on the first floor
• Lecture theatre – on the first floor
  • View the pledge designs from the students
• Speakers – 10:30 – 11:30am
  • Welcome from the College Principle
  • Introductions to the day Irene Oldfather
  • The College –  Marie – short film on the work they do and pledges
  • Humza Yousaf MSP
  • Tommy Whitelaw
  • Andy, Development Officer for Pollok United Soccer Academy SCIO
  • Cameron from ALISS. A local Information system that signposts to local resources and Gerry from the Link Worker Programme
• Q&A – 11:30 – 11.50am
• Close, Irene Oldfather– 11.50 – 12pm

Irene Oldfather, ALLIANCE Director said:

“Creating friendly communities where people feel involved, empowered and inspired is a great way of reducing social isolation. When we make things better for people with dementia we make them better for all vulnerable adults. Pollock is known for its sense of community and I hope this will be the beginning of a new chapter in its history.”

Tommy Whitelaw, ALLIANCE Project Engagement Lead said:

“We want to empower individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with dementia, their families, and carers. It aims to encourage people to do what they can to make their journeys easier, often in simple ways.”

Marie Murphy, Glasgow Clyde College Social Care Lecturer said:

“We are delighted that Social Care students and staff from Glasgow Clyde College have this opportunity to get involved in the campaign to help raise awareness for carers of people with dementia.  At Glasgow Clyde College we are always keen to highlight issues in our local community and will be working with Dementia Carer Voices and our local MSP and MP, to promote the Pollok Pledge Campaign.”

ENDS

Notes to editor:

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)

1. Irene Oldfather and Tommy Whitelaw are available for interview. To arrange please contact call 0141 404 0233. For all other media enquiries contact Justine Duncan on 0141 404 0231.
2. The ALLIANCE’s vision is for a Scotland where people of all ages who are disabled or living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, have a strong voice and enjoy their right to live well, as equal and active citizens, free from discrimination, with support and services that put them at the centre. http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk
3. Dementia Carer Voices, managed by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is a Scottish Government Project funded project to engage with Health and Social Care professionals and students to promote a fuller understanding of the carer journey, provide a platform where carers can express their views and experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia and to harness the awareness raising activity undertaken by Tommy Whitelaw.

Glasgow Clyde College:

1. Glasgow Clyde College is a further education college in the south and west of Glasgow offering a wide range of full and part-time courses to over 16000 students annually.
2. Glasgow Clyde College is renowned for its industry and university connections and partnerships that ensure courses are designed to offer students exceptional learning opportunities and the best possible outcome.

Thanks for reading my blog, You can now view my 8 short flims here! http://tommy-on-tour-2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-mums-name-was-joan-this-is-our-story.html