Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, is launching an appeal during Dementia Awareness Week (29 May – 4 June) to support Reading is Caring – a programme which provides personalised training to help people support loved ones living with dementia through sensory, shared reading experiences.
A survey commissioned by Scottish Book Trust revealed that 80% of Scots worry about losing meaningful connections with loved ones through dementia, and 75% worry about how dementia might affect them.
Reading is Caring is designed to ease daily challenges by creating special moments of connection, sparking positive memories and relieving stress.
It is currently only available in the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians, and the charity is raising funds to reach more people in need of support.
A recent participant of the programme, caring for her mother who lives with dementia, said: ‘When we’re reading together, Mum is back in a world where she can read a book, remember, and enjoy. Like music, it’s a way of reconnecting her with who she is.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, added: ‘More and more people in Scotland are living with dementia or caring for someone with dementia. We have seen the huge difference Reading is Caring makes to the daily lives of those living with dementia and the person caring for them.
“We want to reach more people all over Scotland with our specialised support.’
To learn more about Reading is Caring, or to donate to the fundraising appeal, visit scottishbooktrust.com/donate/reading-is-caring.