Member Article

ARRAN Sense of Scotland Partners with Alzheimer Scotland for 2021

Scottish soap, home and body care brand ARRAN Sense of Scotland has chosen Scotland’s leading dementia charity, Alzheimer Scotland, as its official charity partner for 2021.

The partnership will raise valuable funds for the charity over the course of the next 12 months, raising awareness of its vital work to help those living with dementia and provide support for their friends, families, and carers. The company believe taking time out, slowing down and connecting with nature has never been more important in improving both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Through their shared purpose of connecting the world with nature, the company and charity will collaborate on some key events over the next 12 months which includes the charity’s annual Memory Walk series and a ‘summer of challenges’ for staff, who will also take part in training to become Dementia Friends, as ARRAN Sense of Scotland works to become a more Dementia Friendly business.

Part of the partnership will also explore how ARRAN Sense of Scotland can support some of Alzheimer Scotland’s existing outdoor initiatives, including their Tipi project – a woodland therapy project which enables groups of people with dementia to come together in a woodland Tipi and take part in activities, learn new skills and discover the therapeutic benefit of nature.

The Tipi Project – Connecting People with Nature

Kevin Meechan, CEO of ARRAN Sense of Scotland said: “When Alzheimer Scotland first approached us, we were, of course, keen to help however we could. And as we explored more options for how we could work together, we discovered that our key philosophies are very much aligned.

“As a brand, our purpose is to help people to create meaningful connections with nature, something that has also been shown to be very beneficial in the treatment and care of those living with dementia. When we heard about the amazing Tipi project, which promotes the benefits of immersing those with the condition in nature and the outdoors, as well all the other work this fantastic charity does, we decided that rather than support them on a one-off basis, we should make the commitment to appoint Alzheimer Scotland as our official charity partner.

“Dementia is one of the biggest health crises of our time, one in three people will be diagnosed with some form of dementia in their lives. Sadly, it is a cause that does and will continue to affect many of our staff, customers, and wider Arran community. We want to help raise the profile of the tireless work being done in the community for those living with the disease and their families. We’re very excited to see what a difference we can make over the course of the next year.”

Over 90,000 people in Scotland are currently living with a dementia diagnosis and around 3,000 of these people are under the age of 65. The charity’s mission is to ensure nobody in Scotland faces dementia alone. ARRAN Sense of Scotland aim, through their donations and fundraising efforts, to raise enough to expand Alzheimer Scotland’s network of Dementia Advisors over the next 12 months. Dementia Advisors are based all throughout Scotland and provide vital support to people with dementia and the wellbeing of their families often prior to diagnosis and, for carers, sometimes after a loved one has passed. Dementia Advisors help people know their entitlements, open up networks of support and ensure connectivity.

ARRAN Sense of Scotland will also supply hand sanitiser free of charge for some of the larger fundraising events across the year. The company has also committed to becoming a ‘dementia friendly company’ and will undergo an audit to identify areas that can make its shops and offices more accommodating to those with cognitive impairments. ARRAN Sense of Scotland will work closely with Alzheimer Scotland to create more dementia friendly communities.

A range of best-selling ARRAN Sense of Scotland products will be sold via the Alzheimer’s Scotland webstore over the coming months. ARRAN Sense of Scotland are supporting this commercial partnership by donating 50% of retail sales through this channel, enabling the charity to continue its ongoing efforts to support those affected by dementia.

Caroline Miller, Alzheimer Scotland’s Stakeholder Engagement Lead said:

“The last year has been really challenging for the charity, with many of our normal ways of generating income being halted. We are delighted to partner with ARRAN Sense of Scotland, and this partnership will be vital in helping us continue to be there for people with dementia, their carers and families when they need us most. ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s purpose, to create meaningful connections with nature, very much ties in with many of Alzheimer Scotland’s own work and we are really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the coming months.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachael Ashmore .