Catching up with Andy Miller from the Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre
As the UK’s first Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre celebrates two years, we checked in with Andy, Outdoor Community Activities Organiser with Alzheimer Scotland, about the last two years and what he has learned in the process.
I moved up to Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms National Park from Edinburgh about two years ago with my partner. My background is in care and support work – I’ve done this sort of thing for over 10 years now – working in care homes and supported living in Edinburgh, but we moved up here so I can be a bit closer to my father, and to the forests and hills.
I was so excited to see the opportunity to work with Alzheimer Scotland on this brand new project, based right in the heart of the Cairngorms.
My day-to-day role in the centre is to organise outdoor community activities for people living with dementia, their families and carers. What we want to do is combine the benefits of the outdoors and connecting with nature with peer support opportunities for people living with dementia, providing opportunities to get together in a common place, doing something fun together, and having that vital social connection.
So much of what we do is about collaboration in our community. When I joined, we were starting from scratch so, for example, I found a willow expert who lives in Inverness who comes down to give sessions in willow crafts. I spoke to a local artist in Grantown, who now comes and does an art session with us once a month. I reached out and found Able2Adventure – an all abilities cycling organisation based at Badaguish, supported by the Speyside Trust – who run sessions for us. The Cairngorms National Park Volunteer Rangers also come along and get stuck in, most recently supporting our John Muir Award sessions. We have all of these wonderful, different collaborators that come along, and they give us a real value of their expertise.
There have been so many highlights in the past two years, but something I’ve loved particularly is our outreach cycling events. We’re privileged to have use of these fantastic all abilities bicycles and run sessions at Boat of Garten where there’s great all ability trails. Seeing people who sometimes struggle to walk, some who maybe have Parkinson’s along with dementia, and people who have impaired mobility… to see someone in that situation flying around on a bicycle with a huge grin on their face, that’s really hard to beat. Seeing somebody experiencing real challenges in their life just really enjoying themselves, that’s really rewarding.
But it’s not only about activities and trying new things. The Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre is about connection, both to nature and to one another and our community.
Of course it’s important for someone living with dementia, and for a family member or carer of someone that has dementia, to be able to talk with clinical staff. But sometimes the best kind of support comes from somebody who’s in the same or similar situation as you. Meeting people who can really empathise with you, and share insights and experiences is so reassuring. That’s what we can do here, we can create that welcoming space for people who can be at risk of isolation to come together.
There have been challenges over the past two years and there can be barriers to people attending our sessions, whether that’s logistical or because they are nervous about trying something new. A real challenge has just been finding effective ways to let people know about the centre. We’ve tried lots of different things and, gradually, the word has spread. But that’s the best way people can help us: just let other people know that we exist and that anyone who shows up will get a warm, genuine welcome.
For me, the past two years have taught me a lot about the importance of community for everybody and how much can be gained from getting together with other people. I am so lucky in my job that I get to meet so many amazing people, everybody’s got a story to tell and I’m looking forward to the next two years.
Anyone living with dementia, their families and carers are welcome to participate in the Centre’s programme of outdoor activities. They can self-refer, making access a quick and easy process. People can learn more about the Centre’s programme of activities and how to get involved here on the Alzheimer Scotland website.
The Cairngorms 2030 programme is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
