Dementia Trust and Edinburgh firms team up to boost power of attorney planning
The Dementia Trust, a Scotland-based charity, is celebrating a successful first year of its ‘Planning Ahead’ campaign, which encourages Scottish families to have early conversations around power of attorney.
The 2026 pilot of ‘POA Month’ in Edinburgh delivered a measurable impact with participating firms reporting a 56 per cent increase in POA activity compared with available data from February 2025.
In total, Edinburgh offices at Ralph Sayer, Mcdougall Mcqueen, Blackadders, and Balfour+Manson have supported 151 people with their Powers of Attorney during the course of the campaign. Each firm pledged to raise awareness among clients and donate 10 per cent of their Power of Attorney income to The Dementia Trust, collectively raising more than £7,000.
Dylan Harper, Chair at The Dementia Trust, said: “These results are incredible and demonstrate what can be achieved when the legal sector and charities work together towards a shared goal. I am delighted that the campaign has made a real difference for families across Edinburgh and I look forward to building on this success to make an even greater impact as we prepare for Planning Ahead 2027.”
Firms gained access to bespoke dementia and capacity awareness training, developed and delivered by Sandra McDonald, Chair Emeritus at Dementia Trust and former Public Guardian for Scotland, alongside dementia expert Professor June Andrews. The training provided practical guidance on working with clients and families navigating capacity concerns.
Sandra McDonald, Chair Emeritus at Dementia Trust and former Public Guardian for Scotland, said: “Planning Ahead is about giving firms the tools, confidence and shared language to start those conversations earlier and make discussions about Power of Attorney routine.
“Fewer than one in ten adults in Scotland currently has a registered Power of Attorney, if we can shift that even slightly, it will relieve a huge amount of stress for families.”
Kimberley Mackay, Private Client Partner at Ralph Sayer, said: “This has been our first year partnering with The Dementia Trust, and it has been a genuine pleasure to be involved in such a meaningful initiative.
“Collaborating with fellow firms across Edinburgh has highlighted the real difference we can make when we work together to encourage early planning. Supporting clients with Powers of Attorney is a vital part of what we do, and we are proud to have played a role in helping more families prepare for the future.”
Catriona Torrance, Private Client Partner at Balfour+Manson LLP, said: “Taking part in POA Month has reinforced just how crucial early conversations are for families planning for the future.
“Supporting clients through the power of attorney process is a core part of our work, and this campaign has helped us highlight its importance in a meaningful way. We’re proud to stand alongside The Dementia Trust in encouraging more people across Scotland to plan ahead.”
Karen Phillips, Partner at Blackadders LLP, said: “We were delighted to support the Dementia Trust in this initiative. We understand how important it is to have a power of attorney, the comfort it provides loved ones having the correct paperwork in place at a challenging time and the difficulties which can occur when these documents are not in place. Our other offices are looking forward to taking part in this initiative.”
Legal firms interested in taking part in POA Month 2027 or accessing the Trust’s dementia-awareness resources can contact: admin@dementiatrust.org
The Longitude Prize on Dementia recently awarded a £1 million grand prize to a personalised AI-powered assistant, developed for smart glasses, that identifies everyday objects and guides people with early-stage dementia through daily activities, with the ultimate aim of supporting them to live safely in their own homes for longer.
