Dr Michelle Hamill and Dr Martina McCarthy, who are clinical psychologists in the Trust’s Older Adult Mental Health team, were invited to an event in the House of Commons to mark Dementia Action Week.
The pair have published a book, called How to Help Someone with Dementia: A Practical Handbook. Its aim is to help individuals gain a better understanding of how dementia works, and the effect it can have on loved ones.
The book has been included in a new ‘Reading Well for Dementia’ collection, launching in public libraries across England and Wales this week. The scheme – run by national charity The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with Libraries Connected and SCL Cymru – will support people living with dementia, carers and family members including younger children to understand more about dementia.
The list features 20 books in England and 21 in Wales, in addition to digital resources that provide quality-assured information, advice and support to help people living with the syndrome.
As part of the Well, Dr Hamill and Dr McCarthy’s book will be available in every public library across the country, helping people far and wide – well beyond the boundaries of east London and Bedfordshire!
Celebrating the launch of the Well and the publication of the book, Dr Hamill and Dr McCarthy were invited to the House of Commons yesterday by Baroness Browning, where they had the opportunity to tell her more about the motivation behind it, and their work in the Older Adult Mental Health team.
Speaking about the visit, Dr Hamill said: “It was a huge privilege and honour for Martina and I to be invited to the House of Commons in recognition of our book. A special mention must go to our amazing contributors Patrisha, Enda and Shirley, whose stories enrich the book with strength, creativity and dignity.”
If you would like to buy a copy of the book, you can do so via Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yc2u55dm.