Pictures to Share
ACT trustees have just agreed to help establish a new not-for-profit company here in the UK. Pictures to Share is a Community Interest Company set up to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers by providing high quality, innovative, art based, illustrated picture books and other materials.
 Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life and affects about 700,000 people in the UK currently. Symptoms typically include a decline in the ability to communicate, to talk, read and write. Helping people to continue to communicate for as long as possible is an important part of dementia care. By communicating, people are able to express their feelings, improve their relationships with others and so improve their quality of life.
Traditional books, magazines and television gradually become confusing and unintelligible to those living with dementia.
The Pictures to Share books (which have been extensively tested) offer people with dementia the opportunity to once again appreciate and enjoy looking at a book and at beautiful imagery. The books are designed to be easily understood and comforting without being in any way patronising. They are ideal for sharing with relatives and carers, and for encouraging high quality communication. The books offer images that are clear, colourful, attractive, and which offer a point of reference through specific interests. Current titles are ‘Childhood’, ‘The Countryside’ and ‘Women’s Work’. The plan is to have 13 books in issue by December 2010.
“My mother particularly liked the space around the images and quotes. She said she liked the way the books seemed uncluttered. They’ve been a real hit!”
Daughter of an Oxfordshire lady with Alzheimer’s
“We absolutely love them. The carers use them in a one to one situation and relatives also use them; some find they help to make visits easier”
Nicola Garner. Broad Oak Manor Nursing Home, St Helen’s
"I highly recommend these delightful books that would be an asset to any care home, carer or person with dementia. They can be used to promote recall, social engagement, stimulate conversation or just be quietly enjoyed, alone or together. The clear graphics and images vary from bold colours to black and white, with plenty of contrast to help those with limited sight or attention. Consideration has also been given to text size and content, so each page has a meaningful message without overload."
Anne Topping / Nightingale Care Home /S. London
These books make perfect presents. If anyone wishes to purchase Pictures to Share books for relatives or friends, please visit their website on http://www.picturestoshare.co.uk
 Meantime, Excellent Development, the other new organisation being supported by ACT this year, is making great progress with our grant. They have already located some office space and will shortly be moving out of the kitchen of the Director’s house, where the three staff and several volunteers have been struggling to work for years now. They have also recruited their first full time fundraiser giving the existing team more time to spend on gearing up the work with communities in Kenya. Don’t forget to check out their excellent short films about their work in Kenya which you can see on their website at http://www.excellentdevelopment.com
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