working together
Was it that you and I were put
So that we would meet now
In this state of mutual acceptance.
Kay Daly
from her poem ‘Destiny’
writer-in-residence
Dementia erodes a person’s ability to keep hold of their thoughts, to organise their thoughts on to paper, and to write. I work only with a notebook and pen. The person can see me writing their words, and they can read their words or I can read their words to them.
The way I work is for us to get to know one another and live the days together. Out of this experience, we create a book together.
When the book is completed, we have a Book Reading and Tea for the authors, their families and friends, and the staff who care for them whose work and support makes my work possible. Copies of the book are given to everyone. Then the whole book is read out aloud from cover to cover, for us all to experience and enjoy.
Anthea McKinlay
You’re a story worker. My story is coming, slowly but surely. Thank you for making a difference to me.
Jean Crymble
The writing is me. It’s perfectly true. I thank you. We are they who are enjoying themselves. Great joy.
Ian Lang
Making my mix-up come together, that must be a hard job for you. I like to see something getting built up. I’m all for thinking things. Your mind is getting minded.
Agnes Campbell
I’ve noticed the way this is done. You say something. You don’t think it’s coming out like you wanted it. But when it’s written down, you find it’s come out beautifully. It just comes out your mouth and you discover you’re a poet.
Margaret Morrison
I never thought I could do this. I’m learning.
Ethel McFarlane
My words in a book - I can’t wait. I’ve made a wee name for myself, just by thinking my thoughts! I’m hoping my family will be proud of their mother and their granny and their auntie.
Molly Chapman
Suddenly you appeared. I do not know how. I do not know from where. Is it luck? Is it by God? I do not know. You make such connection with this Ukrainian person. Now I am discovering that my stories will be in a book. This is unimaginable. Unbelievable. If you can offer my stories to many people. I hope that they will be interested, informed, surprised maybe. I am very very happy with this unusual opportunity.
Nykola Nyznyk
We’re really happy when we’re talking about sorting this book. It shows how you can make your brain work. What helped was how interesting it was, and all the nice things that happened while we were working on it. I feel very proud about being an author. It would be very nice if I could continue with my brain.
Lizzie Murray
I’ve put a lot of thought into the writing. I’ve surprised myself.
May Hill
It’s a pleasure talking to you. You’re a godsend. I never laughed so much in a long while, and I don’t need to sit trying to write on wee bits of paper. You just come in, and we take it from there. It’s all coming from here, inside me. I’ve never been an author before. All this excitement. We’ll have to have a band playing when the book comes out!
Joe Johnston
I’m so happy about having this done and all. I can say: ‘written by Annie Keen’. I’m way up high with it.
Annie Keen