QMU Honorary degrees to be awarded today

Dementia campaigner, Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia, and children’s charity founder, Laura Young, will both receive an honorary degree from Queen Margaret University later today.

Henry Simmons, from Wishaw, will be awarded a Degree of Doctors of the University, Honoris Causa, in recognition of his work in improving the lives of people living with dementia. Henry has been involved in developing a model which is transforming lives and altering the way we think about people with dementia and their carers. This approach has received much international recognition placing Scotland at the forefront of dementia practice.

Laura Young, Founder of The Teapot Trust charity will be awarded a Degree of Doctors of the University, Honoris Causa, in recognition of her work with the Teapot Trust in its use of art therapy to help children and young people cope with long-term medical conditions.

Both honorary graduates will be acknowledged for the relevance of their work to society, reflecting the university’s own commitment.