The Reader today launches a new film on Giving Tuesday highlighting this year’s Christmas Appeal and the stories of group members who attend a dementia friendly Shared Reading group at Central Library, Liverpool.
Liverpool-based charity The Reader has created a short film showcasing a dementia friendly reading group in Liverpool Central Library as part of its annual Christmas appeal.
The national charity, which is looking to raise £10,000 to help provide more Shared Reading groups for people affected by dementia and their families in the Liverpool City Region, has developed a poignant and emotive film to highlight the cause.
Since it launched a week ago a third of the appeal target - £3,657 – has already been reached thanks to the generosity of local people, the charity has revealed.
Katie Clark, Director of Literature at The Reader, said: “Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to our Christmas Appeal – we are now 37% of the way there. This work makes such a difference to the lives of people with dementia – a safe, relaxed space to connect, make new friends and enjoy a cuppa while chatting about stories, poems and the memories or emotions they spark.”
The new film features members of The Reader’s weekly dementia friendly Shared Reading group at Liverpool’s Central Library, including 86-year-old great-grandmother Barbara Daley, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease last Christmas. Every week she attends with her daughter Angela Delea.
Barbara, right, and her daughter, Angela, left.
Yoga-loving Barbara said: “I'd go to the group every day if I could, I do really enjoy it. I couldn't tell you what I did yesterday, but I'm alright with a book!
“My husband Roy and I were together for 60 years – he was the love of my life. Since I was widowed, I like to keep busy. I couldn’t bear staying in because he wasn’t there. I’ve been going to yoga for 30 years and also like Tai Chi.
“Angela and I both really enjoy coming to this group so much. I’ve liked all the books and poems we’ve read.”
Barbara’s daughter, retired NHS manager Angela from Mossley Hill, Liverpool, said: “My mum’s always been a keen reader and loved books – she absolutely loves this group; it’s the highlight of her week.
“What I really value is something we can both do together. I really treasure the lovely stories mum comes up with sparked through the story we’re reading - chats we wouldn’t necessarily have.”
Joan is third from left, pictured here with her Shared Reading group
Joan Brown, a trained volunteer with The Reader who leads the group, said: “It’s a real joy having Barbara and Angela in the group and, despite Barbara experiencing problems with her short-term memory, she plays an active role in Shared Reading.
“She always reads aloud very well and takes part in all discussions, shares lovely, personal stories and reminiscences and has a great sense of humour.
“We all think the world of them both, and Barbara is a perfect example of how, with support and understanding you really can live well with dementia.”
Over the last 12 months The Reader - based in Calderstones Park, South Liverpool - has been running 55 groups across the North West, London and South West reaching 350 people in settings including care homes, libraries, health services and other charity settings.
In these specially adapted groups people with dementia, their families and carers talk with a trained Reader Leader about how a piece of literature makes them feel in a space where everyone’s voice is valued and respected.
The charity is working to reach people affected by dementia at all stages of progression through a growing network of partnerships with support services and care homes, from early intervention in the community to more advanced onset in acute care wards.
All donations raised through The Reader’s Christmas Appeal 2024 will be used to recruit, train and support volunteers, work in partnership with other services to expand the project’s reach, provide resources, and create more opportunities for helping people living with dementia and their families benefit from the joy of reading.
Joan added: “The Central Library group is open to anyone and is truly dementia friendly. I know from my previous experience how vital it is to provide inclusive, understanding, welcoming services for people living with dementia and their carers.
“I feel really strongly that groups such as ours are vital in supporting people living with dementia to live well with the condition, to continue to be valued members of society and to feel part of something so supportive, rewarding and, most of all enjoyable.
"There’s always a great deal of laughter in our group, whatever we’ve been reading, and I really believe that the laughter helps us all.”
The Reader’s dementia friendly Shared Reading group takes place on the ground floor at Liverpool’s Central Library every Wednesday at 1pm.
Find out more about The Reader’s Christmas Appeal 2024 and how to make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia here.
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