Igniting memories for those living with memory loss across south west England, the Challenge Fund is a partnership between Literature Works and Arts and Health South West.
Plymouth-based Albert, 91 years-old, cannot recall any longer which town he is from, but his recitation of WB Yeats’ Lake Isle of Innisfree is word-perfect.
Albert shares the joy of remembering poetry with a group of other people living with memory loss who meet regularly at a Memory Café in Plymstock Community Centre. A trained professional poet runs poetry workshops there, supported by Alzheimer’s Society’s staff and volunteers. She encourages the group to remember poetry learnt by heart at school, once common to a generation born in the first half of the 20th century. Albert can be heard reciting the poem on the following podcast from Arts & Health South West here
Since 2017 Literature Works has partnered with The Alzheimer’s Society and The Poetry Archive to bring the pleasure of recalling poems to people living with memory loss and their loved ones at Memory Cafés across the region.
Literature Works is fundraising to expand the programme and now joins forces with Arts & Health South West, a charity promoting the power of the arts to enhance health and wellbeing.
Together, on World Alzheimer’s Day, 21st September, the charities launch a challenge whereby, for a limited time only, Arts & Health South West will match the first £2,000 raised from public donations pound for pound. If the £2,000 target is reached by the end of this year, then a total of £4,000 can be invested in training more poets and delivering more poetry sessions across the South West.
Literature Works and Arts & Health South West invite everyone whose life has been touched by dementia – at however far a remove – to make a donation, however small or large. Donations can be made online via Literature Works’ website or by post to Literature Works’ office at Plymouth University. Details here –
Donations online via Literature Works JustGiving here:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/literature-works/poetryproject
