Prestwick’s promenade – a Dementia Friendly project
A two-year long project to make the Prestwick promenade more accessible for people living with dementia.
Dementia Friendly Prestwick have worked in partnership with the local community, South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, and Paths for All to make the promenade more pleasant and engaging.
Building local community links between people living with dementia, their families, carers, support charities and health professionals is a key feature of a successful Dementia Friendly project.
Dementia friendly Prestwick - Paths for All
The charity who are helping people living with dementia remain part of their community carried out a public consultation which gathered overwhelming support for the project. Small changes can make a big difference towards a more accessible, engaging, safe and welcoming walking route along the seafront.
Changes that have been made include:
- Easy read toilet signs
- New directional signs
- New noticeboards on the promenade and civic garden (Boydfield Gardens) to share information about local events and services
- Colourful benches with armrests
- A new road crossing island on Links Road to make walking from the promenade to the toilets and café safer
- Three poetry wind vanes depicting the islands that can be seen from the shore: Ailsa Craig, Arran, and the Holy Isle.
“This project is one of a range of activities undertaken by Dementia Friendly Prestwick over the last four years to make positive impacts on people living with dementia and their families or support workers. The current public health challenges have only reinforced the need for friendly, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive public spaces. We’re especially pleased that partnership and consultation are at the heart of this initiative.”
Chair of Dementia Friendly Prestwick, Ian Welsh OBE
Dementia Friendly Prestwick worked with the local community, South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, and Paths for All to make the promenade more pleasant and engaging.
Sustrans Scotland supported this project along National Cycle Network Route 7 through the Transport Scotland-backed ArtRoots programme.
Further plans for the town include creating a Dementia Friendly “Meeting Centre” and information resource.
More information on the project: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/news/news-post/new-wind-vanes-blow-change-across-prestwicks-promenade
https://www.dementiaprestwick.co.uk/