Top award for Stirling academic’s learning disabilities and dementia course

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group of award winners in evening dress

A University of Stirling academic has scooped a top award for her one-day course aimed at professionals supporting people with learning disabilities and dementia.

Dr Karen Watchman won in the best UK dementia training initiative category for her ‘Post-diagnostic support for people with a learning disability and dementia’ course.

The course was recognised for its role in delivering effective training in the dementia care sector, at the 9th National Dementia Care Awards.

woman in blue dress
Dr Karen Watchman
Lecturer
The award is particularly important to me as it reflects the shift to increased recognition of the experiences of people with a learning disability, who are affected by dementia.

“The award is particularly important to me as it reflects the shift to increased recognition of the experiences of people with a learning disability, who are affected by dementia,” said Dr Watchman.

“We have known of the association between Down's syndrome and dementia for many years now but it is only recently, when faced with an increasing ageing population of people with a learning disability and dementia, that health and social care services have actively sought information and evidence-informed support strategies.

“This course meets the need of such services with innovative impact already evidenced in practice for people with a learning disability and their families.”

Three women in evening dress with award

Dr Watchman was presented with her award by host Hazel Blears at a Gala Night held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Thursday 8 November.

The course was most recently delivered at the University of Stirling earlier this month, with another one planned for early 2019. It is also available to organisations on request. 

The National Dementia Care Awards, which are organised by the Journal of Dementia Care, were created to recognise the work of people in the dementia care sector.

Background information

Media enquiries to Rosie Free, Communications Officer, on 01786 466169 or rosemary.free@stir.ac.uk