Scottish Ballet To Launch Dementia Friendly Activities with £150,000 Award

Theatre slowly but surely continues to become accessible to those who struggle to access the average performance.

Today, Scottish Ballet has announced that they have been funded by Life Changes Trust, to become dementia friendly.

They have been awarded £150,000 for the project, which will allow them to set up a programme of dementia friendly dance based activities who live with the condition as well as their carers and families.

Weekly accessible dance classes will be running, as well as special performances by Scottish Ballet and the opportunity to attend company classes and meet the dancers.

The events and activities will take place in the company’s Glasgow based dance studio as well as outreach locations in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Director of the Life Changes Trust dementia programme, Anna Buchanan said, “By funding a diverse range of dementia friendly communities throughout Scotland, we are developing a deeper understanding of how to meet the needs of people with dementia and their families. A diagnosis of dementia can lead to social exclusion and isolation, but dementia friendly communities can help prevent this by keeping people included and supported. It is wonderful to welcome a new and vibrant initiative through the Scottish Ballet dance community. This work will make dance more accessible, will raise awareness about dementia, and will explore the ways in which dance can contribute to the well-being of people with dementia and their families. We look forward to learning a lot from this project.”