Be a part of the first Reading with Dementia symposium, exploring how to support people to continue reading for enjoyment.
Join us to explore the emerging field of dementia-friendly reading across the UK. With insight from people with lived experience and organisations leading the way in this specialist are. We'll explore the practice of Reading with Dementia through presentations, workshops and reflections.
The symposium is in partnership with Newcastle Libraries and the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing, funded by Arts Council England.
Join us at the symposium
Book your placeProgramme Overview
10am: Registration and refreshments
10.30am: Welcome and keynote address
Welcome from Sharon Traill, Community Hubs and Libraries Manager, Newcastle Libraries, followed by keynote address from Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive, Libraries Connected.
11am - 11.45am: Reading with Dementia - Project overview and key findings
Hear from Sarah Lawrance (Equal Arts) and Dr Anna Goulding (Northumbria University) about the approches through the 18-month Reading with Dementia programme, the impact on participants' reading confidence and wellbeing, and how both historic collections and contemporary resources have been used to stimulate reading and support social connection.
11.45am – 12.30pm: Panel discussions – Overcoming barriers and creating connections
Dr Karen Franks, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Gateshead; Romi Jones, Writer and Creative Facilitator; and Ceinwen Haydon, Poet and Creative Facilitator. Panellists share their experience of overcoming barriers to reading with dementia. With contributions from readers with lived experience of dementia and creative facilitators involved in the Reading with Dementia programme.
Lunch and networking opportunities.
13.15pm – 2.30pm: Showcase
Hear about different, practical approaches to dementia-friendly reading from organisations leading the way in this emerging field. Contributors include Dr Jane Lugea from the Still Reading project at Queen's University, Belfast; Nat Yates, Artist-in-Residence at Boulmer Court supported living scheme, Chester-le-Street; Alison Kirkpatrick, Psychology Research Assistant at Verbal Arts Centre, Derry.
Afternoon refreshment break.
2.50pm – 4pm: Practical Workshops
In these facilitated workshops you'll have an opportunity to test out ideas for growing dementia-friendly reading in your organisation with other delegates and speakers. A safe space to explore potential challenges and opportunities and hopefully leave with clear actions and next steps.
4pm - 4.30pm: Feedback and Closing Reflections
Luke Burton, Director of Libraries at Arts Council England. Luke Burton will be in attendance throughout the day, listening to speakers and delegates.
