‘Tipi on Tour’ in Strathspey with team from outdoor dementia resource centre at Badaguish

Last summer Alzheimer Scotland announced plans for the UK’s first Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre at Badaguish Outdoor Centre near Aviemore, which will officially open in April 2023. Over the next six weeks the team will be taking the project on tour around Strathspey with their tipi as a mobile venue so people can find out more about and experience the services the new centre will provide.

The unique centre enables people with dementia and their family and carers to experience the benefits of green health activities. Alzheimer Scotland believes that access to the outdoors is essential for people living with dementia and their carers. The project is part of the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

The team at Alzheimer Scotland are aware that not all people with dementia are able to travel to the new centre– particularly in the winter months. Therefore, to connect with more people, Kenny and Andy from the project team will take the project on tour throughout February and March 2023. They will be pitching an Alzheimer Scotland tipi at five locations across the Strath: Grantown on Spey, Boat of Garten, Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore. Each session will include nature themed activities.

Kenny Wright, Outdoor Resource Centre Coordinator said: “People living with dementia can be at risk of becoming socially isolated, lonely, and depressed, and as a result often develop an indoor lifestyle. Spending time outdoors can provide instant benefits, including reducing stress and distress associated with dementia, increasing, and improving physical activity, providing mentally engaging activities and providing opportunities to learn new skills and hobbies or rediscover old ones. It also gives people with dementia and their family or carers a chance to connect in a different environment and have fun together.

We’re really excited about taking our tipi on tour throughout Strathspey and we look forward to welcoming people from the community to participate and find out more about our project. In addition to activities, the tipi has a wood-burning stove so it’s a cosy venue and the kettle is always on!”

The Newtonmore and Grantown on Spey sessions are open only to residents of Mains House and Lynemore Care Homes only. The other sessions in Boat of Garten, Kingussie and Aviemore are open to all members of the community who are living with dementia.

The project is fully funded so there is no cost to participants. All sessions are 11am-2pm and tea, coffee and snacks are provided.

To find out more and to book a space in the tipi contact Andy Miller on 07585 976356 or email [email protected]

Thursday 9 February  – Boat of Garten – Community Hall (open to public)
11am-2pm and Tea, coffee and snacks are provided
To book a space in the tipi contact Andy Miller on 07585 976356 or email [email protected]

Thursday 16 February – closed group
Mains House Care Home – residents only

Thursday 2 March – closed group
Lynemore Care Home – residents only

Thursday 9 March – Kingussie – Ardvonie Park (open to public)
11am-2pm and tea, coffee and snacks are provided.
To book a space in the tipi contact Andy Miller on 07585 976356 or email [email protected]

Thursday 16 March  – Aviemore – Royal British Legion (open to public)
11am-2pm and tea, coffee and snacks are provided.
To book a space in the tipi contact Andy Miller on 07585 976356 or email [email protected]