Summary
The Dementia Walking Buddy Project was developed in response to identified local need and a growing body of evidence highlighting the positive impact that physical activity, social connection, and community participation can have on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and their carers. The project is delivered by a dedicated part-time Project Worker (21 hours per week), employed by East Renfrewshire Carers Centre since February 2023. Since its launch, the project has provided valuable support to both unpaid carers and people living with dementia, enabling individuals to remain active, engaged, and connected within their local communities. A key element of the project is the recruitment, training, and support of volunteer Dementia Walking Buddies. To date, 27 volunteers have been recruited through partnership working with local organisations including Voluntary Action and Mearns Kirk Helping Hands. All volunteers undergo PVG checks and receive comprehensive training to ensure they are equipped to support participants safely and confidently. Individuals who may benefit from one-to-one support are identified through referrals from key partner agencies, including Talking Points and other local health and social care services. Participants are matched with a trained volunteer who provides support to attend a weekly health and wellbeing walk within their local community. Volunteers may: Walk with individuals from their home to a local walking group. Accompany individuals using public transport. Transport participants to walks in their own vehicle where appropriate. The service enables people living with dementia to participate in activities they may otherwise be unable to access independently, reducing social isolation, improving confidence, supporting physical wellbeing, and providing a valuable break for unpaid carers. The project supports people living with dementia to remain active, connected, and involved in their communities while reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing. It also provides reassurance and respite to unpaid carers, helping to sustain caring relationships and improve quality of life for both the carer and the cared-for person.
What East Renfrewshire Carers Centre has learned
Respite is essential for carers and remains the primary aim of this project. As outlined previously, we have found that, alongside this core objective, a range of additional outcomes naturally emerge. We believe in adopting a flexible and responsive approach, enabling us to adapt to the evolving needs of carers and those they support.
Through our work with individuals and families, we recognise that new ideas, needs, and opportunities are often identified as relationships develop. We are committed to listening to feedback, validating people's experiences, and, where appropriate, incorporating recommendations into project delivery to ensure support remains relevant and meaningful.
While it is important to remain focused on achieving the project's intended outcomes, we also recognise the need for flexibility as the project grows and develops. By remaining responsive and understanding of changing circumstances, we can better meet the diverse needs of those who are keen to engage with and benefit from the support available.
Impact on beneficiaries
Flexibility and understanding of people's needs is hugely important. At the beginning of the project we were keen to identify and support carers who lived with the cared for to enable them a break. However, as time has gone on we have recognised that carers do not always live with the cared for. Carers will live close by and able to monitor and check of the person they care for without having to live with them full time. Acknowledging that carers do benefit from a service who can step in and support and still continue to meet the outcomes of the fund even if they do not live with the person they care for.
This has helped carers to be heard and understood as carers experience stress and concern when a carer for a family member/loved one. Having a volunteer take out a cared for for a health and wellbeing walk ensures that the cared for has contact with another person and the ability to build on a relationship and remain healthy at the same time.
Being able to help in any small way can make a huge difference.