Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Personal Biography

   


     


Thomas Whitelaw
Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
Venlaw Building
349 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4AA
0141 404 0233

          

For five years Tommy Whitelaw was a full-time carer for his late mother Joan who had Vascular Dementia, and in 2011 Tommy undertook a walk around Scotland’s towns and cities to collect hundreds of life story letters detailing the experiences of individuals caring for a loved one living with dementia.

Since then, he has engaged with thousands of carers through his ‘Tommy on Tour’ blog and as Project Engagement Lead with the Health and Social Care Alliance’s Dementia Carer Voices Project, conducting frequent talks to health and social care professionals and carer organisations across Scotland, to raise awareness of the impact of dementia on families and the importance of empowering carers in carrying out their difficult but vital role.

Tommy's passion for his work and the Dementia Carer Voices Project has not gone unnoticed. He was the winner of the 'Age Scotland Jess Barrow Award' in 2013; Finalist Campaigner of the year 2013 for 'The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards', won the NHSGGC Chairman’s Ambassador Award 2013 and in 2015, Tommy was awarded the 'British Citizen’s Medal for Services to Healthcare' in recognition of his work to raise awareness of dementia and promote a fuller understanding of the carer journey. 

Most recently, Tommy has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Kate Granger awards 2016 and received an Honorary Master of the Open University for Health, Social Care, Education and Policy making influence.

Groups and boards Tommy represents the project and the ALLIANCE on are: Fair for all Board Member North Ayrshire Council, Girvan Community Hospital Dementia Friendly Steering Group Member, Member of Scottish Government Dementia Strategy 2016-2019 Expert Advisory Group and NHS Education Scotland Promoting Excellence Dementia Programme Board Member
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
DCV photo DementiaCarerRGBlandscape3_zpsa2f3d5ff.jpg

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My mums name was Joan ,my Mum Had Dementia - our Story 9 Short Films

Tommy’s speech, providing a carer’s perspective,  on the theme of “ No – one ever asked   ” highlighted the transformational impact that ...