5 February 2026
by Graham Martin
The Eric Liddell Community has set out five priorities
An Edinburgh-based care and specialist dementia charity has launched its manifesto, for the next Scottish Parliament.
The Eric Liddell Community has set out five urgent priorities to better support people living with dementia, unpaid carers, volunteers and the communities that rely on them.
With an estimated 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, the charity says the gap between the vision and commitments made in policy are very different from reality.
There are rising costs, reduced statutory funding and an increase in demand for these services due to an ageing population, putting immense pressure on charities.
Founded over 45 years ago, The Eric Liddell Community has long supported people living with dementia and their carers, and is now calling on political parties, candidates and policymakers to recognise voluntary organisations as essential partners in addressing societal challenges and delivering services that communities rely on.
Irene Adams OBE, chair of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “Every day we see the difference that care, compassion, and community make to people living with dementia and also to the unpaid carers volunteering their time. This means we also see the consequences when we are underfunded and under supported. We urge all Scottish parties to listen to their communities and work with the third sector by turning policy into reality for people who most need the support.”
While Scotland is recognised for its progression with dementia policy, The Eric Liddell Community states that not enough people are able to access these dementia services and support.
In addition, 37% of the Scottish adult population (1.7 million people) have provided unpaid care at some point in their lives. The value of this support totals £15.9 billion each year.
The manifesto is built upon five urgent priorities for the next Scottish Government - to turn policy dementia into reality, take immediate action to address the third sector funding crisis, deliver unpaid carers a legal right to breaks in practice, ensure social care reform improves real experiences and value the importance of volunteers.
To read the full manifesto, visit here.
TFN has been compiling voluntary sector manifestos ahead of the election – go here to view them and to find out how your organisation can take part.
Charity's manifesto urges urgent action on dementia care - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Newsletter Tue 10/02/2026