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Connected Lives Dementia and Social Connection Training

Strengthening social connection and dementia inclusive volunteering in Scotland’s communities

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Locations across Scotland and Online

Free to Attend

CPD Certified

Do you want to help make your community more dementia-resilient?

With the number of people in the UK with dementia predicted to rise to over 1.4 million by 2040, it is vital that we are equipped with the skills to support those living with dementia.

Connected Lives Dementia and Social Connection training will empower you to plan and deliver dementia-friendly events and services in your community. The course blends research, case studies and practical advice with lots of opportunities for discussion and peer learning. Join online or in-person at 20 locations across Scotland.

Training sessions are free, but places are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.

What’s included

Your free Connected Lives training session includes:

6 hours of learning with an experienced facilitator (3.5 hours for online sessions)

Access to dementia training resources, including the Connected Lives Good Practice Guide

Accredited CPD points

You can also access the Connected Lives e-learning for volunteers and carers, which will be released later in the year.

Book now

What you’ll learn

The Connected Lives course blends research, case studies and practical advice with lots of opportunities for discussion and peer learning. The course structure below gives a snapshot of what you’ll take away from the course.


Dementia and Social Connection

Deepen your understanding of dementia and the importance of social connection for people living with dementia.

In this section, you will:

  • Learn about the characteristics of common types of dementia
  • Explore the impact of social connection for people living with dementia
  • Identify gaps in provision in your community
  • Explore common barriers to offering dementia-friendly services


Inclusion and Support

Develop and deliver inclusive events, activities and services that are accessible for people living with dementia.

In this section, you will:

  • Understand the impact of a dementia diagnosis
  • Learn about the types of stigma surrounding dementia
  • Get top tips and checklists for creating dementia-friendly spaces and events
  • Explore barriers to communication and how to overcome them


Volunteer Involvement

Support your volunteers to build and sustain relationships with people living with dementia

In this section, you will:

  • Explore the impact volunteers can have on the lives of those with dementia
  • Learn how to improve your volunteer recruitment process
  • Access in-depth dementia training resources for your volunteers
  • Understand the impact of carers and the challenges they face


Additional Support

Identify your next steps to offering a dementia-resilient service for your community

In this section, you will:

  • Build connections with your fellow attendees to develop a local network of dementia-friendly services
  • Co-create a list of useful resources and organisations
  • Get links and information for other helpful resources
  • Identify actions you will take to apply your learning

Who is it for?

You will benefit from Connected Lives training if you are based in Scotland and any of the following apply:

  • You are a member of staff at a third sector organisation
  • You lead or manage volunteers in a third sector organisation
  • You are a volunteer who supports people living with dementia and/or their carers
  • You work with the community and encounter people with diverse needs
  • You want to feel more confident in supporting people living with dementia
Book now

Where can I access the training?

We will be offering in-person Connected Lives dementia and social connection training in 20 towns and cities across Scotland.

If you can’t make an in-person training session, you can join one of our 3-hour online training sessions.

What previous learners say about our Good Practice Training…

The friendly, collaborative, and interactive nature of the session and sharing experience and understanding of the topic with others, whilst being excellently facilitated by Victoria, is my favourite thing about this event.

Your training toolkit is fabulous – absolutely incredible, I have signposted it to everyone – it is amazing how much detail is included in all the elements! Thank you

I am a family carer and Dementia is an issue for one of the people I care for. I found this whole training to be very mindful of the position of carers also, so again thank you.

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Meet your trainers

Edel Roddy

Connected Lives Trainer (in-person)

With a professional background in nursing, research, training & development, Edel brings rich experience of engaging with health and social care, third sector and community organisations to the Connected Lives project. This work has taken her across the length and breadth of Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the far reaches of Australia!

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Edel has a passion for creating spaces of connection and learning, where people can share their experiences and expertise, and come away with fresh perspectives and ideas.  She gets quite a buzz from exploring stories from practice, to uncover gems of insights and possibilities that might have been previously hidden. A wee niche Edel has developed in her work is in creating conversational resources that help people to talk about their thoughts, feelings, hopes and ideas.  

Alongside work she spends chunks of time on Vinted looking for quirky homeware treasures, and returns to Ireland regularly where she supports her ageing parents.

Victoria Galloway

Connected Lives Trainer (online)

Our Learning and Development Manager, Victoria, has been working at Befriending Networks since 2018. She is responsible for designing and delivering our full training programme and e-learning courses. Since 2021, she has been running the Dementia and Befriending Good Practice course to help organisations offer practical, confident, and compassionate support when working alongside people living with dementia.

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Previously working within primary schools, secondary education and university settings, Victoria uses her understanding of education and adult learning to create training resources that are inclusive to learning styles and targeted at reducing barriers to learning.

Having worked with those in the care system, prison system and secure units within hospitals, Victoria is competent in discussing mental health and wellbeing, trauma-informed practice and safeguarding procedures.

As a graduate of media, Victoria applies her understanding of communication to build resources that are comprehensive, efficient and engaging. As a recent graduate of MSc Social Innovation, Victoria facilitates with a passion for the power of volunteers and community-led positive change in society.

Book now

E-learning for volunteers and carers

Later in the year, we will be launching a free dementia and social connection e-learning course for volunteers and carers. Sign up to receive updates.

About Befriending Networks

Befriending Networks is the world’s network for befriending organisations. Our vision is of a society where quality befriending support is available to everyone who needs it, and the importance of meaningful connection is recognised. We have more than thirty years of experience in supporting and connecting befriending services through training, events, resources, and awards, which support quality in befriending.

Connected Lives is a Scotland-wide project by Befriending Networks providing free dementia and social connection training and e‑learning. It helps volunteers, staff and carers feel confident supporting people living with dementia, strengthening social connections and enabling inclusive, meaningful relationships within communities.

Connected Lives is a Befriending Networks project funded by the Scottish Government’s Dementia Resilient Communities Fund.

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