Dementia campaigner Ann gets award
SUTHERLAND dementia campaigner Ann Pascoe received an Honorary Fellowship from the Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, Professor Iain Martin, during a graduation ceremony in Chelmsford on Thursday
Ann, who lives in Portgower, is a carer and founder of Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) – a social enterprise that helps families in rural Scotland to recognise and embrace the challenges of life with dementia.
DFC quickly attracted strong support from local people, helping to break down barriers and eliminate the stigma that so often accompanies dementia.
Ann was invited to join the Prime Minister’s rural dementia communities’ Task and Finish group, and DFC is also working in partnership with NHS Highland and Alzheimer Scotland, as one of five Scottish Government test sites to trial Scotland’s Dementia Strategy.
Ann has been appointed Trustee of Life Changes Trust, a £50 million initiative set to transform the lives of two specific groups – young people who are in the process of leaving care, and people with dementia and their carers. Most recently, Ann has joined the NHS Highland Board as a non-executive director.
Professor Martin said: “Ann has demonstrated remarkable commitment to supporting people facing change and disadvantage, something that is very close to our hearts here at Anglia Ruskin.
“Her work resonates strongly with our own teaching and research in dementia care, and also with our focus on the role of music therapy in treating dementia.”
