Library collaborates in Shared Reading Project in Hay-on-Wye

A south Powys library is to host a ten-week literature scheme, which will be run by poet and shared reading facilitator Emma Van Woerkom. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Shared Stories Project, which will be hosted at Hay-on-Wye Library, is part of the Gwanwyn Festival, a month-long series of arts events celebrating creativity in older age. The project is aimed at those living with mild to moderate dementia or depression, their families and carers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The project focuses on reading, listening and discussing good literature as a beneficial way of helping mental fatigue or depression. These simple activities can also enhance cognitive thought and memory abilities and the Alzheimer’s Society recommends ‘keeping your brain active through reading and being part of a social group’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Shared Stories Project will take place every Monday at 2.00pm at Hay-on-Wye Library starting on Monday 16 May. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“By leading discussions I hope to draw out individual memories, discover shared feelings and experiences between the participants and build on these” said Emma Van Woerkom. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Linking literature, listening and lives, we’ll grow in confidence, stimulate our thoughts and hopefully enjoy a trip down memory lane together,” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Graham Brown, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Library Services, said: “Libraries and literature do play a positive role in stimulating people’s health and particularly mental health. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Libraries are at the heart of our communities, providing a safe, relaxed and friendly space to meet others and stimulate some positive recollections, while providing a wealth of information to access. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwanwyn, which means spring in Welsh, celebrates older age as a time of opportunity for renewal, growth and creativity. Their aim is to offer opportunities for older people to participate in the arts, ranging from visual arts, drama, storytelling, music, literature, photography, dance or film. Gwanwyn includes commissions and collaborative events as well as events organised by a wide range of cultural and community organisations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Places on the Shared Stories Projected are limited. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​