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Help build a dementia-friendly generation with Scouts

Up and down the country, slowly but surely, a revolution is happening in our communities. With over 2 million Dementia Friends, more people are learning about dementia, lending a helping hand where they can and helping to create a dementia-friendly society.

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A key part of this movement is, perhaps surprisingly, young people. Our research shows that one in three young people already know someone living with dementia. This could be a grandparent, a friend of the family, or a neighbour. Increasingly, it could be a parent. Dementia is already a part of young people’s lives.

That’s why Alzheimer’s Society has partnered with The Scouts Association because time and time again, young people show us that they really get it. They want to know more about dementia and they want to make a difference in their communities.

  • “Young people are so open and willing to learn that it almost doesn’t occur to them to have the prejudices and negative perceptions that older people tend to have picked up – so doing the Information Session ensures that they maintain a positive, but better informed, understanding of dementia.” – Bruce Moore, Dementia Friends Champion.
With ‘A Million Hands’ the Scouts are seeking to mobilise their groups to make a difference on the big social issues of our time. Throughout the country, the Scouts themselves are given the freedom to choose an issue that matters to them and thousands have chosen to take action on dementia. 15,000 Scouts have already attended an Information Session to become Dementia Friends and committed to making a difference to people affected by dementia.

This has led to everything from Scouts delivering activities in their local care homes to creating dementia-friendly spaces in their communities. As a Dementia Friends Champion you are perfectly placed to help spread the word and empower young people to change the lives of people with dementia!

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The Big Moment

Next spring will see Scout groups across the country open their doors to the local community and host dementia-friendly events. These intergenerational activities will be a fantastic opportunity to bring people together and combat the stigma and social isolation that people with dementia can face.

Ahead of this we need your help to raise dementia-awareness among scout groups by delivering sessions. If you ever see a request from the Youth Engagement team for a local Session and are interested then get in touch!

You could also reach out to your local groups and offer a Session. If you are a parent to a scout then why not mention a Session to the leader next time your son or daughter attends their group?
Dementia Friends Information Sessions for young people, especially scouts, can be incredibly fun and engaging.

If you haven’t seen them yet, check out the guidance on your dashboard at dementiafriends.org.uk for more information on the activities that you can run with young people.
  • “This Session was much more interactive than any other Session I have delivered.  I found the children much more enthusiastic than other groups; more ready to engage in activities and much more willing to share their thoughts and ask questions” – Janet Mobbs, Dementia Friends Champion.
Dementia is an issue that affects everyone in society. From the youngest to the oldest. Our resolution this new year is to unite the generations and take action on dementia, to do that we need your help.

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Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer's Society initiative
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