As I've mentioned before I work part-time for The Reader Organisation and I read aloud every week with groups of people living with dementia and their carers. We read all sorts of poems and stories, talk about feelings and memories that these bring to mind, enjoy a hot drink and a few cakes and generally … Continue reading The Homecoming of Sir Thomas Wyatt
I thought I'd let you know about some of the stories and poems I've read recently in my weekly read aloud groups for people who have dementia and memory loss. With Christmas fast approaching, you won't be surprised that there's been a seasonal flavour to our choice of literature. Whether or not you're living with … Continue reading Christmas stories and poems to read aloud
I'm gratified by the number of likes, comments and visits I received to my Not Quite a Post post! It just goes to show that, when you've said you're on a blogging schedule (in 2014 I've been trying to post at least once a week, usually on a Sunday) it's worth plonking your bottom down … Continue reading On the value of blogging.
My month off seems like a far away country, yet it's only been 12 days since I've been back at work. Thank goodness my job involves reading poetry, and thank goodness for Anthony Wilson's Lifesaving Poems series on his wonderful blog (soon to be made into a book by one of the UK's leading poetry … Continue reading Lifesaving Poems Saved the Day
One of the highlights of reading for a living is choosing which poems and stories to bring to my weekly, read aloud, shared reading groups. Whenever and whatever I’m reading at home (or on the move) my weekly groups are in my mind: will they find this story/novel extract/poem interesting? Will it get them talking? … Continue reading On not making assumptions about what people will enjoy reading.
It's about six months since, working for The Reader Organisation, I set up four, weekly, read aloud, shared reading groups for people with dementia (or other illnesses affecting their memory) and their carers. Three of the four groups, at libraries in Warminster, Mere and Pewsey, are still up and running, but I've moved the fourth group from Purton … Continue reading Reading with people who have dementia in Wiltshire
New Year is starting to feel much older now and a weekly routine is emerging. Two things I'm doing more of, so far, in 2014 are driving my car and spending time in public libraries. There are about 140 miles between my house and the four Wiltshire libraries where I facilitate weekly shared reading groups for … Continue reading The joy of reading, libraries and driving
