Vulnerable Groups in Dundee City Libraries

IT Collages

2011-02-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

This project was undertaken by groups with additional support needs using the IT Suite in the Connections Department.

It ran over several months and involved clients developing IT skills and using them to construct a creative collage. During the course of this project individuals learnt how to search the Internet for images of favourite things, which they could incorporate into their pictures. This involved learning to use several search engines and clip art applications.

Then skills, such as cut and paste, were introduced to copy the chosen images onto a document for printing. Resizing techniques were then used to obtain the correct size of images suitable for the collages. Then the print function was looked at and using the best page setup to maximize the use of paper. The images, once gathered, were then printed, cut out The groups all approached this project in a different manner, as can be seen by their finished pieces. Some concentrated on colour and then searching for images of that particular colour, others decided to use the canvas to construct a collage of something that was interesting to them and using pictures of this they liked within the collage to make it a very person representation of things they liked and enjoyed and applied to the canvas

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Some groups were also able to incorporate photos of themselves and the group into their collage. This initiative helped the individual group members learn some basic computers skills as well as encouraging them to use their imagination and be creative to produce a very effective and engaging piece of art.
An exhibition of the collages has been arranged in the main foyer of Dundee Central Library to take place on 28th March and run for two weeks. This allows the group members to display their work to family and friends as well as the general public. All the people involved are very excited about this forthcoming display and are preparing photographs and information to accompany their work, which is again assisting them in learning, and using, more IT skills.

2010-10-08T02:36:00.000-07:00

Menu/Recipe Books Fot IT Users With Additional Needs

IT groups with special or additional needs have successfully compiled a menu/recipe book. The idea was to create a useable tool that members could make use of in their own care homes or day centres. We wanted an IT project that was flexible to the variety, and range, of the user’s capabilities. We asked each group member to create a favourite recipe for the book. The menus chosen were to be simple, easy to follow, and suitable for all people, regardless of their literacy skills. The menus would consist of breakfast, soups, main meals, puddings and cakes. Participants were then able to construct the recipes in a way that would correspond to their skill levels. Some, who where able to type, chose to use text as well as pictures for their recipes, others who had little, or no, literacy skills used images to describe the recipe process. Staff were on hand to assist with any text, when needed. A group member who had no literacy skills was easily able to follow a recipe by a fellow group member, using just the images, which were provided, to illustrate the preparation and cooking process. This project also helped individuals with their searching skills, looking for suitable images on the internets and being able to resize these pictures and cut and paste them into a document. Each page of the finished book was then laminated, so that it could be easily wiped clean when used in the kitchen. This was a project that was fun to do and allowed the participants to be involved in choosing their favourite foods. It also had a tangible end result that can be used in a practical way and helps the personal development and confidence of the individuals, and allows them to demonstrate their skills in producing the book to others, such as family and friends.

2010-05-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Easter IT Initiative

Finding IT projects for users with special needs has always proved to be a challenge, but library staff have embraced it as an opportunity to get creative and imaginative and to make sessions an informative but fun learning experience. We wanted a project that was IT based, but would help users develop simple skills such as searching an image base for relevant pictures or photographs, and printing out their selections. We also wanted the users to be able to select a piece of text, and look how it was possible to alter it in size and colour.

As it was coming up to Easter, we decided that an Easter theme would be appropriate, but we needed to find an interesting way to then display the images and the pieces of text that users had been able to select and print. A member of staff came up with the idea of making papier mache Easter eggs. This was achieved by the traditional method of inflating balloons and covering them in papier mache and, once dried, then deflating them. We found that kitchen roll dipped in a mixture of PVA glue and water hardened with a shell like effect. Users were then able to select their own individual styles of what they wanted to put on their egg. Some of the group wanted to create pictures using sites such as

http://www.manetas.com/pollock/

and use the colours and shapes to create a very individual egg. Others wanted to add some craft materials to turn their eggs into characters or objects. Some individuals used online colouring sites such as

http://www.free-coloring-pages.com/easter/index.html

to colour in and create their very own individual Easter themed pictures.

Users in each of the groups came up with their own creative interpretation of the theme, and used images, poetry and text, as well as sites that had Easter online colouring sheets, which were duly filled in and printed out. Using these functions helped group members with their motor and cognitive skills, as well as teaching them how to use the cut and paste functions, print command, resizing images and altering text.
The eggs completed over a number of weeks were then given another coat of PVA to harden them. They could then be attached to ribbons and hung as decorations at home, or filled with sweets and given as Easter presents.

All the groups enjoyed this creative initiative for using and learning IT skills and were pleased to have an attractive end product that they could take away with them that was as individual to them as it was unique.

Library Resources for People with Dementia

2010-02-17T02:58:00.000-08:00

Staff from the Central Library engage in outreach work for elderly people suffering from dementia. At present the staff visit residents in sheltered housing complexes and care homes in the area. These visits are carried out on a weekly basis for the care homes and fortnightly for the sheltered housing complexes. They use a combination of resources to help stimulate discussion and aid recall and prompt memories.

These resources consist of packs, which we have specially designed to encourage interaction and introduce topics for discussion. The packs include photographs, reminiscences, articles, and adverts from newspapers, as well as reading materials about the subject. Staff have collated most of this information, using newspapers, photographs and other resources from the Local History Department. Information is then arranged into folders which staff can easily transport on their visits to the homes.

Staff also use passages from books which again have a local interest by authors such as Mae Stewart and Maureen Reynolds. Mae Stewart has also participated in a visit, with library staff, to a local care home and engaged in a session helping to stimulate conversation and interaction, by sharing her own reminiscences with the group. There are usually between five and twelve people in each group. The people attending these groups all have some form of dementia, ranging from mild to severe cases. When the clients are suffering from more advanced stages of dementia, staff recommend that groups are kept smaller, with a maximum of five peopeople attending.

Although the average age of people attending these sessions is 80-85 staff have found that the least popular topic for discussion is the Second World War. Many were just children, or teenagers, during this time and do not have many memories of that period other than home or school life. More popular topics are fashions of the 50's and 60's, Dundee Cinemas, Life in the Tenements and Dance Halls. More able groups enjoy finding out about Local History and staff have noticed that the groups enjoy amusing or anecdotal stories.

Staff leading these sessions have noted an increase in attention spans and interaction as the weeks progress, often people initially attending, who would not engage in the sessions are now becoming more communicative and conversant. These outcomes are not always immediately apparent, and are reached over a period of several weeks working with the group. Staff involved in this type of outreach work find this new aspect of their library work both rewarding and enjoyable, and staff research skills are employed to put together these resource folders, which can be reused by themselves, or lent to other staff who may, in the future, become involved in this type of innovative work.

Connections Suite

2010-01-19T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Connections Suite is situated on the lower level of Dundee Central Library. The space has been specially adapted to accommodate Reading and IT Groups. Having this dedicated area gives the groups a safe, relaxing and comfortable environment, that they can identify with, and feel safe and secure. Paintings done by the groups are displayed in this department, and there are also plans to display sculptures that the groups have worked on recently.

Many photographs also adorn the walls of the reading area, giving the groups a sense of ownership and belonging.

The Connections Suite also has a range of resources available to borrow which could help carers and family members of vulnerable people, these include books on Makaton, Storybook and Storystarter cards, as well as colour cards and books on emotions, family, behaviour and feelings.
We also have a range of books on dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD.

There is a self-help section in this department which has CD's and books on motivation, ,empowerment, relaxation manuals and alternative therapies. Audio books on tape are also located here, as well as a selection of picture books, which carers, or families, may want to borrow, or read aloud in a secluded seating area of the department . A carrel in this department also houses a Kurtzweil Reader and a magnifier to aid people with visual problems. There is also storage space, used to hold all the resources required for the reading and IT sessions.

The IT space has eight computers available for vulnerable group use These have a printer and scanner attached. Specialised software such as Boardmaker, Texthelp-Read and Write, Kidspiration and Inspiration is also available on these terminals.

IT Groups in Central Library

2010-01-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

Since September 2009 we have been running It groups in the Connections Suite of the Central Library for groups with special or additional needs. At present we have seven groups who attend on a weekly basis. Most groups stay for a two hour session. For the first part of the session we tend to look at things that would interest the individual users, this could be music sites or family history for example, or in some cases playing simple graphics games to improve motor and cognitive skills,such as UK Learn after a short refreshment break we then work on an IT project. At the moment we are working on individual personal story books. Staff compiled a list of ideas that could feature in the book such as, favourite time of the year, future plans, descriptions of themselves etc. These pages are accompanied by photographs, or images, to illustrate the book. These images were chosen by the individual ,who also dictated as to what should be written and what would be included into the book. Some people, with mild learning problems, needed very little help, mostly just with spelling, and some computer applications, while others who had less communication skills, and more severe learning problems, were able to express what they wanted by using Makaton or simply pointing to the screen. Once the book is complete it is then given a cover and bound. The user is then able to take the book home with them as an example to show friends and family what they have been working on and then they have a very personal and unique book all about them and their likes and dislikes. These books can also be beneficial to carers and helpers in finding out more about the person they are supporting.

Judy Paterson Tells Stories to Special Needs Groups

2010-01-19T05:49:00.000-08:00

Judy Paterson visited the library to tell stories to one of our Reading Groups, whose members have learning and physical difficulties. Judy brought along photographs of her horse and explained to the group how her own horse was used in many of the illustrations in her books.
She then told the story of 'Tamalane', and again Judy's own horse featured in the story. Many of the group participate in ' Riding for the Disabled', and have a love and affinity to horses, as Judy herself clearly does . The group enjoyed the story and were able to recognise the horse illustrations and appreciate the process of illustrating a story. Judy also told other stories, which she had gathered from around the world.

Anne Errington Visit

2010-01-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

This week we had a visit from storyteller and performer Anne Errington. Anne was telling stories to our a reading group of young people who have challenging behaviour and live in residentail care .
She gave a wonderfully animated rendition of several legends and myths from around the world. These included the stories of Hercules and Prometheus. She told a legend from Finland and ended the session with a story from Scotland, which had striking similarities to the Scandinavian tale.

The group, of about fifteen young people, and their carers, thoroughly enjoyed Anne's storytelling and were enraptured by the performing skills she utilised to bring the story to life. Many of the members of the group, as well as their carers, commented on how much they had enjoyed the session, and how different it was from anything that they had experienced before. Some compared it to being at a theatre and watching a play, but with a front row seat and a smaller audience.

In and Out of This World

2010-01-19T02:30:00.000-08:00

The latest initative for the Reading Groups was a project which we called "In and Out of This World". We selected several different regions which included, Polar Lands, Deserts, Rainforest, Underwater, Space, Day and Night, Space, Town and Country and Underground. We collected together artefacts as well as books that tied in with these themes, and each week delivered a storytelling session on that topic.

At the outset of the project we made keyrings for each member of the group with their photograph on it aand a legend saying "In and Out of This World". Each week, if the person attended that session they were given a card to attach to their keyring with had pictures of the area we had travelled to, as well as text indicating that the person had heard stories relating to that subject. This was to encourage users to attend each week as well as to act as a reminder of what topics had been covered in previous weeks.

Although the project proved successfull, it didn't have the same level of interest or commitment that 'The World Reading Route' had achieved. When staff discussed the reasons behind this, it was felt that, perhaps, members of the groups could not see how the topics directly related to each other and that the 'World Reading Route' initative had introduced, for the first time, the concept of using food and tastes to enhance the storytelling process.

Christmas Event

2010-01-19T01:47:00.000-08:00

This year the Central Library held a Christmas event for vulnerable groups. Over eighty people from the groups attended, as well as carers and helpers. We had music, refreshments and storytelling. It was a great oppotunity for carers, helpers and group members themselves to get together. The event brought together eleven IT and Reading groups, for a relaxing and enjoyable afternoons' entertainment.

Jess Smith , author and storyteller, told several stories and sang songs at the event, and a Dvd was shown, which the groups had participated in making. The film showed the work being done with the reading and IT groups. It also recorded comments and feedback from useres, carers and library staff working with the groups. Individuals were pleased to see themselves on the film and everyone cheered when they saw someone they recognised. Copies of the Dvd were made and handed out to each group.

This is an important event that, once a year brings everyone together, and makes people aware of the diversity of work that is being carried out with vulnerable groups in the Central Library

Reading Resources for Additional Needs Groups

2009-11-25T17:18:00.000-08:00

We now run nine reading groups for people with special or additional needs.Members of the groups range from people with mild learning disabilities to individuals who have severe physical and learning difficulties. We tend to use very bright coloured , tactile picture books,as well as books that emit sounds. We also use a wide range of multisensory artefacts which all tie into a central theme. For example, we may explore stories about the seaside and use a variety of shells, sand and seaweed, which stimulate a range of senses included small and touch.
We also have tactile seabirds which make realistic bird calls when squeezed. We can also introduce soundtracks of the seaside and explore the sense of taste using ice cream.
We tend to stay away from themes such as families or schools or books focusing on small children, as many members of the group cannot relate to these topics and are all adults. Books about general subjects such as animals, space, birds, rainforests and the seaside can be enjoyed by everyone,and can be interesting and informative without being too childish.

For groups with early onset Alzheimers we use a combination of poetry and short stories. These can range from classic stories to more contemporary poetry. We use material that we think will stimulate discussion (poetry is particularly good for this). People attending often talk about remembering a piece of work from earlier times, or what their interpretation of that piece is. Short stories also stimulate discussions about emotions, family, holidays, work etc. We never carry over a story to the following week, as the nature of Alzheimers tends to show that the perticipant will not have a clear recall of the previous weeks reading. We stop at appropriate points of the reading to ask for osbervations or ideas and always leave time at the end of the session to evaluate the story.

Groups for adults with challenging behaviour ,who also have have mild to moderate learning difficulties attend weekly reading sessions. We read ‘Quick Reads’ over the course of several weeks. We always read the book beforehand to ensure that that material is suitable. We have been running this group for over a year now and have always found appropriate material for them, although we may have to read three or four quick reads first before we find one that is suitable. We have also read a very abridged version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which the group thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that they burst into spontaneous applause at the end. We also use Greek and Roman myths which prove popular and stimulate lots of ideas and discussion. We found that we cannot use any material that needs prior knowledge of the subject, such as ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’, because the group where not familiar with the events WWII or the Holocaust. This group will often suggest stories that they would like to hear and often we give them a choice of material and they chose the type of story they would like to hear next (romance, thriller, mystery, supernatural, sport etc)

Working with Special Needs Reading Groups

2009-11-25T16:51:00.000-08:00

An innovative reading group programme for people in the community who have special needs has been implemented by Dundee Central Library. Taking part in the weekly groups are adults with a wide variety of physical and learning disabilities. The aim is to introduce them to using the library’s resources. The sessions also offer the opportunity for them to develop learning, social and emotional skills in a relaxed environment. Working with the groups has become ‘an integral and rewarding’ part of my job. A successful bid to the Scottish Government’s Public Library Quality Improvement Fund saw Dundee libraries embark on partnerships with local agencies who work with vulnerable, unemployed, special needs or socially excluded people. Libraries have a potentially wide role to play in supporting people to feel part of the community through flexible, informal sessions tailored to the needs of each group.
Library staff who had the skills and enthusiasm needed to conduct these sessions were identified, and as a result I have been part of the initiative since last April. I now conduct sessions with several groups of residents from local care homes. I also visit the homes once a month to bring stories to those who are unable to travel to the library, due to physical or emotional problems.The size of the groups can vary from four to twelve members, and the group members have learning and physical disabilities ranging from moderate to profound.
In each session we aim to connect with the group members – rather than just read a story to them, we encourage them to become involved in the stories themselves and become part of the storytelling process. This can be achieved by something as simple as letting them choose a story that they would like to hear, or deciding on options within a story to dictate how it unfolds.
Staff have also made their own books for the groups, which include the names of group members and situations that they can identify with.
The story sessions encourage skills ranging from visual tracking, making choices, selecting items and storylines, to discussing the story and answering questions about it. Each story is accompanied by relevant artefacts, such as puppets, shells, fruit, flowers, soaps and seaweed. These aromatic and tactile props are particularly important to members of the groups who have visual impairments and have to rely on their other senses.
Particular interests are also catered for: these could include topics of local significance, such as the football teams, places of interest, or historic events. The books which prove most popular are well-illustrated picture books, rhyming and poetry books and amusing stories.
These well-planned sessions, in a safe, secure environment where the groups feel welcomed and relaxed, provide a thoroughly enjoyable experience for participants who may otherwise find it difficult to access library services. Some members of the groups have already gained the confidence to borrow CDs and books from the library, and the homes and centres themselves are now borrowing library material on a regular basis.
Staff, carers and relatives and the members of the groups themselves have noticed a marked improvement in concentration spans of individuals. Many can now maintain attention for the duration of the story and experience a greater anticipation of storylines. Other developments include significant advances in eye and finger pointing, responding positively to stimuli, choosing between a numbers of objects and manipulating objects.
Group work has now become an integral and rewarding part of my job. I find that, along with the groups, I have advanced emotionally, learnt new skills and improved my communication since starting to work with them. It is now also of the most challenging aspects of my job. I am constantly gaining new knowledge and I keep a journal of the sessions as part of my learning experience so I can assess what worked well and use it again in the future.
Training is now being planned, to ensure that staff have the opportunity to continue their personal development and share ideas and experiences with colleagues, agencies and other organisations.
And I am looking forward to developing this aspect of my work further through additional training such as Bibliotherapy and the Reading Cure training courses.

New Initatives for Reading Groups with Special Needs

2009-11-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

World Reading Route

This project ran for eight weeks and involved visiting eight different countries, reading stories associated with that country, finding a few facts about the land and learning to say 'Hello' and 'Goodbye' in each language. To set the scene we handed out travel itineraries, in advance, and selected stories about different methods of transport.

To begin with we took photographs of each group member, with their, or their carers permission. We then made up passports. The groups seemed delighted to have their own passport, with their photograph in it, it really made them feel more involved in the session.

After each session the visa part of the passport was stamped to show that the group had listened to stories, and found out a little about that country. The countries we visited were:- France, Greece, Egypt, India, China, Japan, Australia and USA.

We used many of our existing resources such as fiction and non-fiction books as well as picture books, tactile materials and multi-sensory artefacts.

New Directions

To increase the cognitive skills of the groups we decided to also introduce food that you might taste in each country. This was an opportunity to introduce a new dimension to the storytelling process and to help the group members' recall of the sessions.

Tony Buzan writes that
"Your brain is more likely to notice and recall something that has strong appeal. So link things to:-
- Your senses - taste, smell, touch, sound, or sight (Tony Buzan 1)

We also had corresponding music from that country playing in the background, while we read the stories, although some groups found this distracting, others thought it set the mood of the stories and brought them to life.

The food aspect of each session made a definite contribution to the reading experience. Group members tasted many different foods from exotic locations that they would not have normally encountered. Individuals all had strong opinions on what food they liked the taste of, and which they did not, some liked the taste so much that they asked the carers to buy it for them, in the future.
The combination of tactile artefacts, stories, sounds and tastes combined to enhance the storytelling process.
"The more you stimulate and use your Imagination, the more you will enhance your ability to learn. This is because your Imagination has no limits; it is boundless and stimulates your senses and your brain." (Tony Buzan, 1).

Evaluation

Feedback gathered from the carers and group members would indicate that they found the 'Reading Route' initiative an enjoyable and memorable project, and have even suggested ideas and themes for future reading initiatives.

"Service users and [support workers] thoroughly enjoyed going "round the world"!

"Stories, information and food from each place was great."

"Service users were relaxed and enjoyed participating in the stories."

"Many of the service users were talking and/or communicating with signs about how good everything was. Everything was great for taste, visual, and feeling sensation."

"The passports were great and the service users were really excited about getting them stamped every week."

"The sessions have helped our service users to listen"

"Stories and information very well suited to service users developmental milestones"

"The 'passport' theme was interesting and informative. Clients very keen to attend the sessions"

"Particular service users have become more relaxed and attentive as the weeks have went on"

"A lot of effort was put in each week and we all had a very enjoyable and informative time."

This initiative has been very successful in delivering storytelling sessions to vulnerable adults in an informative and entertaining way. Making the experience interesting, and engaging fully with the members of the groups.

1. Tony Buzan, Available Online http://www.buzan.com.au/learning/study_skills.html