Royal Victoria Hospital Meeting Centre

01/09/2026

It’s the little moments that make The Clubbie Meeting Centre inside the Royal Victoria Hospital special… 🌿

Another busy and joyful week in Dundee and once again, we were reminded that living well with dementia is about so much more than memory.

It’s about belonging. Friendship. Music. Laughter. Having a voice. Making choices. Being supported to do the things you enjoy. And simply having somewhere you feel you belong. 💜

This week, 9 members joined us across 13 attendances, each bringing their own personality, interests and stories to our little community.

🎶 Music brought so many smiles this week. Our Dolly Parton tribute was a real highlight! Rose was up dancing and thoroughly enjoying herself, while Margaret shared her love of country music and helped choose songs for the group.

And sometimes music reaches places that words can't. Irene had a particularly lovely few days with us, she was smiling, laughing and happily joining in with activities. When Gordon came along on Friday, she was absolutely delighted to introduce him to everyone, proudly telling us how much she loves coming to the Meeting Centre. ❤️ Those are the moments we treasure.

Our quizzes were competitive too! Rab was in fantastic form and did so well that the team had to remind him to give everyone else a wee chance! 😂

We got outside too and planted winter seeds, played bowls, parachute games and bean bag bullseye, enjoyed chair yoga and dancing, and shared conversations about famous faces and photographs.

This all seems like fun and it is but behind all the activity is something much bigger going on.

A game of bowls can be about coordination, confidence and friendship.

A conversation can be about finding your voice, strenghtening muscles and sharing memories.

Planting a seed can bring choice, creativity, dexterity and a sense of achievement.

A favourite song can unlock emotion, reminiscence and joy.

And dancing together can create that wonderful feeling of simply being part of something, following someone's lead, building up strength and finding your balance.

That is what the Meeting Centre model is all about, creating a welcoming community where people living with dementia and those around them can connect, participate, retain their strengths, try something new and continue to enjoy life.

Not focusing on what someone can no longer do, but on what they can do, what they enjoy and what makes them who they are.

And that's why we love what we do. By working alongside the individual, the family, the clinical staff, Meeting Centre teams, the volunteers, the drivers, the businesses and entertainers and artists, together we create a community of support that ensures hope prevails during difficult times in our lives.

We create places where every person has a story and a song to share. Every person has something to contribute. And everyone deserves to feel that they belong and cope well, together 🌿

(Images from our recent 1st birthday party)

18/08/2026

What a year it has been! 🎉
We can hardly believe it has been a whole year since we first opened our doors at the RVH Meeting Centre, affectionately known as The Clubbie. In that time, we have welcomed 86 incredible members and celebrated over 1,400 attendances.
On Friday, members, friends, families, NHS Tayside colleagues, and members of the Dundee community came together to celebrate this very special milestone with a birthday party, and what a fantastic party it was! 🎂🎈
Everyone enjoyed party games, a delicious finger buffet, and brilliant entertainment from Paul Cooney, who had everyone, and we mean everyone, up dancing. It's amazing how much dancing can be done from a wheelchair when the music is right!
We also held a hugely successful raffle thanks to the incredible generosity of local Dundee businesses, both large and small. The funds raised mean our members can look forward to welcoming Therapy Ponies to the Meeting Centre this autumn, with the remaining proceeds helping to support our Christmas Party.
A huge thank you to every business that donated raffle prizes. We'll be in touch individually, but we hope you'll spot your name in our film

We would also like to thank all the families, volunteers, and NHS colleagues who supported us behind the scenes, helped on the day, and worked tirelessly selling raffle tickets. And of course, thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and helped make the event such a success.
Finally, a very special thank you goes to Pam, one of our Support Practitioners, and her daughter Dannielle, who masterminded the beautiful decorations throughout the Meeting Centre. From the room décor to the stunning table displays, they transformed the venue into something truly special. We'll just have to hope nobody offers Pam a job as a party planner after seeing her work! 😊
Thank you, Pam and Danielle. We couldn't have done it without you.
Here's to another wonderful year at The Clubbie! 💙🎉

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

24/07/2026

Meeting Centres Scotland are hiring - follow the link below to apply

WE ARE HIRING - follow the link to apply

People living with dementia who are also diagnosed with cancer face some of the starkest inequalities in Scottish health care. Serious symptoms get put down to dementia rather than investigated. Cancer gets picked up late. Treatment decisions happen at speed, in unfamiliar settings, with little support to understand what is happening or to say what matters.

We think communities can change that. Over the next two years, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support through the Macmillan CARE Grants Programme, we will be working with Meeting Centres across Scotland to make them confident, informed places of support for families facing dementia and cancer together.

We're looking for a Project Manager to lead the work.
£39,000 | Full time, two year fixed term | Home based in Scotland with regular travel | Closing date: 9th August

You'll join a small national team with a lot of autonomy and a network of around 47 Meeting Centres behind you. If you you have passion for working alongside people with dementia, their families and/or with those with cancer diagnoses and you are organised, comfortable building relationships across health and community settings, and genuinely interested in the people this work is for.
Full job pack and details of how to apply: https://lnkd.in/enJ7zmBV

Please share with anyone who might be right for this.

10/07/2026

Members at The Clubbie have enjoyed their first crop of potatoes, red onions , beetroot and chantenay carrots freshly harvested.

Sadly no berries this time as all raspberries and strawberries have been eaten by the resident hospital squirrels!

Next steps are using the produce in their Kitchen Hearts project in baking and cooking and sharing recipes and food related stories in a special Clubbie Recipe Book for everyone to enjoy

08/06/2026

Volunteer Recognition for The Clubbie Meeting Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital 🎉

We are incredibly proud to share that The Clubbie Meeting Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital has been awarded a Certificate of Recognition during Volunteers' Week 2025 in recognition of the valuable contribution our volunteers make to the Dundee community.

The award was presented at a Volunteer Recognition Celebration hosted by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action (DVVA) at Just Bee, St Paul's Church, Dundee. The event brought together around 20 organisations and groups, all of whom rely on the generosity, dedication and compassion of volunteers to support their work.

We were delighted that two of our volunteers, Marie and Wendy, attended the celebration on behalf of The Clubbie. Both spoke warmly about their experiences of volunteering with us and the friendships, purpose and sense of community they have found through their involvement.
Needless to say, the whole team was delighted to receive this recognition. It reflects the commitment of all our volunteers, whose kindness, enthusiasm and support help make The Clubbie a welcoming and meaningful place for people living with dementia and their families.
A huge thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and heart to our Meeting Centre. This award belongs to all of you.

04/06/2026

On this coming Saturday, Graham Galloway and W***y Gilder along with BAFTA winning film maker, Ian Bustard who directed The Demented Poets, Caught In This Moment of Time and the The-F-Ward (trailer) will be speaking at this screening of our "Demented Cinema" films in Glasgow, celebrating the life and work of our late founding partner, Ron Coleman.

The screening is part of the Wee Dementia Film Festival and a month of events during Dementia Fest 2026 in the West End of Glasgow, organised by Arvind Salwan.

Book tickets at the link below and also look out for screenings by Playlist for Life and The Scottish Government Rethink Dementia campaign films.

A special screening of three curated films followed by a Q&A with BAFTA-winning film-maker Ian Bustard

29/05/2026

Dundee United Community Trust continue to enhance their support for people living with dementia and their care partners.

A new Meeting Centre will launch soon and we are inviting everyone to come along and join us in co-developing this together and create a place for families to adjust to the changes that dementia may bring.

A place to benefit from peer support, access advice and actively shape a programme of meaningful activities chosen by members to suit their interests and needs.

Book your place now by emailing Lisa Croll, Head of Operations - [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing all your thoughts and ideas!

20/05/2026

(Sun 24 May: 2pm) Ever since the first tale was told, ravens have strutted their way through myth and legend - Odin himself had two pet ravens called Hugin a

25/04/2026

It’s was another uplifting and meaningful week at The Clubbie Meeting Centre recently, supporting people living with dementia to connect, engage, and enjoy each day 💚

We welcomed new faces and continue to grow our community, with 16 members and 20 attendances across the week. It’s been fantastic to see both ward and community members coming together in such a positive and supportive environment.

✨ This week’s theme: Getting to Know You / Spring / Greenhouse / Food
Our activities reflected the season of growth and connection, including:

🌼 Greenhouse visits and planting
🌱 Making wildflower seed bombs
🎈 Parachute and balloon tennis
🥁 Drumming circle
🎲 Games like dominoes and snakes & ladders
🎶 Music, dancing, and conversation groups

These activities aren’t just fun, they support wellbeing, confidence, communication, and gentle physical activity, while creating opportunities for laughter, reminiscence, and friendship.

💬 Moments that made the week special:
4 new members settled in beautifully, bringing stories, music, and lots of smiles.

One member delighted everyone with his spontaneous performance of “The Wonder of You” 🎤

Members shared memories, danced together, and even planned ahead for a blooming wildflower garden 🌸

There was plenty of laughter during games and genuine connection over a cuppa and chat which continued back on the ward.☕

As always, our team ensured everyone felt supported. Whether through group activities or one-to-one time, each member’s needs and preferences are respected which helps to create a safe and welcoming space.

This reflects several of the 11 essential features of a Meeting Centre in practice. Our team’s flexibility shows the value of skilled and knowledgeable staff who can recognise when something isn’t working for an individual and respond appropriately in the moment.

It also highlights our commitment to person-centred support, understanding that each member has unique preferences, abilities, and emotional needs, and ensuring these are respected at all times.

By offering a range of activities and options to engage, we create community-led environment, where members can choose how they participate, whether that’s joining in, observing, or taking time out.

This approach supports dignity, choice, and wellbeing, ensuring every member can experience the Clubbie in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them.

🌟 The impact seen, felt and shared with us:
Improved mood, social connection, confidence, and moments of pure joy, something we see and enjoy most days at The Clubbie.
We’re so proud of the community we’re building together 💚