Sessions end at Cartrefi Conwy… for now!

This week we reached the end of a 6 week course undertaken by residents in Rhos on Sea. This had been organised by us at the request of Nerys Veldhuizen from Cartrefi Conwy. These sessions were slightly different from our usual ones in that none of the participants had a diagnosis of dementia. They were simply older people who wanted to put together a digital life story book for themselves or for their grandchildren, and needed support doing it.

All the participants had a device already – iPads, laptops etc – and three Book of You staff worked with them over the 6 weeks, along with members of Cartrefi Conwy staff.

The sessions were successful and most residents attended regularly and by the final day, each had a substantial book. But they were keen to learn more about what technology could do for them and also to spend more time on Book of You, but they all felt they needed more support.

A 6 week computer course has been arranged for them in September, after which, Book of You volunteers will return to the centre to continue helping the participants add more stories to the books. This was decided following feedback from the participants who have enjoyed the sessions and can see the potential in Book of You but who feel they need more detailed training. Digital inclusion in action!

This is something we are very excited about as we can see us developing different courses for people who have different needs. As was pointed out, a lot of the dementia groups have someone to help them build a book at home (a carer or family member) but many of these residents live alone so in between weekly sessions they find they are forgetting how to do things, even with a help guide.

Watch this space for details of more varied courses coming up very soon.