History of STAND

STAND first met as a group in September 2019. The group was formed as a peer support group for people who were living with a diagnosis of younger onset dementia – that is people who are diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65 – and their families and friends. 

The driving force for the group was a man called Gerald King. Gerry was diagnosed with younger onset dementia at the age of 55. He was very keen to meet with people of his own age and at the same stage of the dementia journey. He approached his specialist nurse who set up a group with Fife Council's Dementia Friendly Fife Project Manager. The principles of the group attempted to mirror the UK Meeting Centre movement. 

Gerry had been to activity groups but they were aimed at people who were much older than him and at a much later stage of dementia. He described a feeling of being “infantilised” by the activities. He wanted group experiences that were more challenging and could maximise his creative side. 

During Covid lockdown the group met on ZOOM but this medium did not work for 60% of the group and as soon as it was practically possible, the group returned to face-to-face meetings. STAND was formally constituted as a SCIO in March 2022 and at that point STAND changed its remit to include anyone of any age affected by dementia.