Helen Bate contributed an article to the Signpost Journal which was published  in Volume 11.2 October 2006.

Pictures to Share is a new social enterprise that was set up in 2006 to publish books for older people who live with the problems of memory loss, confusion and dementia. The organisation was inspired by the experiences of Helen Bate whose mother Jenny lived with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia in the 1990’s.

After becoming aware of the appalling lack of resources available for people with dementia, Helen carried out research, raised the necessary funding and developed the idea that eventually grew into a new publishing company, Pictures to Share CIC.

In our modern world, people live surrounded by a wealth of visual media for most of their lives. Books, magazines, film, television and even advertising are a huge part of our culture. For many people with dementia or similar disabilities, this highly sophisticated media world eventually becomes much too complex and confusing. At this stage, spending quality time with others looking at carefully chosen and well presented beautiful pictures or using colourful art materials, can be a comforting, absorbing and life affirming activity.

The success of the work of John Killick and Kate Allan (www.dementiapositive.co.uk), ‘Sandwell Third Age Arts’ (www.staa.org.uk) and many others, is evidence of the important role that the arts, and particularly visual imagery can play in improving the quality of life for both those with dementia and their carers.

The first three books published by Pictures to Share are full of images both old and new, colour and black and white, paintings and photographs. They have all been chosen for their power, simplicity, beauty and storytelling. Each picture is accompanied by a short text, either poetic or informative, that helps to get a discussion going. Large format, lightweight hardbacks that are satisfying to handle, the books are robust and will withstand being used time and time again.

Themed to allow for different interests, the first three books are about childhood, the countryside and women’s work. Other topics are planned for the future. Although the books inevitably encourage people to talk about their own experiences, they can be equally enjoyed by all the generations from children to great-grandparents.

As a social enterprise, Pictures to Share C.I.C. is committed to making the books as affordable as possible whilst maintaining the high quality that characterises the first three titles. The success of the organisation will depend on the response from the public and the professionals involved in dementia care. Since the books were launched in November 2006, this response has been exceptionally encouraging, and copies have been bought by nursing homes, families, primary care trusts and public libraries.