Meallmore has launched a new Dementia Ambassador Programme, beginning with its first training day across our Central West homes and forming part of a wider rollout across the organisation.
The programme has been created to strengthen dementia knowledge, share best practice and support colleagues to become visible leaders in dementia care within their own homes.
With around 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia, and a significant proportion of people living in care homes also affected by the condition, the programme is designed to give colleagues the confidence, knowledge and practical tools to make a meaningful difference.
Building confidence and sharing best practice
Dementia Ambassadors will play an active role in promoting dementia awareness and learning within their homes.
Their responsibilities will include supporting colleagues to improve dementia care practices, helping embed the Promoting Excellence framework, delivering in-house learning sessions and supporting the completion of relevant audits, observations and competencies.
They will also become a visible point of support for residents, families, friends and visitors.
The role is designed to go beyond formal training. Ambassadors will be encouraged to keep up to date with local dementia resources, understand Meallmore's dementia strategy alongside Scotland's wider dementia strategy, and help connect residents and families with support available in their communities. Families looking for plain-English background can also read our dementia knowledge hub.
A structured programme with ongoing support
The Dementia Ambassador Programme consists of six workshops, with three delivered online and three held face to face within each region.
Participants will complete practical learning before and after each workshop, helping them put what they learn into practice within their own homes.
Ambassadors will also take part in quarterly online catch-ups, creating a space for colleagues from different homes to share ideas, discuss challenges and highlight projects that are working well.
Our aim is for each older people's care home to have at least two Dementia Ambassadors, with larger homes supported by additional colleagues where appropriate.
Supporting residents, families and colleagues
The purpose of the programme is to strengthen the support available to residents living with dementia while also helping families and colleagues feel more confident.
By developing colleagues who can lead best practice in dementia care, we aim to support residents to maintain independence, feel valued and experience the best possible quality of life across our care homes.
Ambassadors will also have an important role in supporting families and friends emotionally, practically and psychologically, while helping build stronger links with local communities.
The first Central West training day marks an important step in that journey.
Investing in people to improve care
At Meallmore, learning and development is about more than completing a course.
It is about creating opportunities for colleagues to grow in confidence, develop specialist knowledge and share what they learn with others.
The Dementia Ambassador Programme reflects that approach by creating a network of colleagues who can lead from within their own homes, support others and help keep dementia care moving forward.
As the programme continues to roll out across Meallmore, the aim is to build a strong and connected network of Dementia Ambassadors who can learn from one another and continue raising standards across the group.
The first training day may have started in Central West, but this is only the beginning. If you would like to be part of it, take a look at our careers pages and current roles.
