Barbara ‘I couldn’t tell you what I did yesterday, but I’m alright with a book – I’d go to the group everyday if I could’

Angela Delea and her mum Barbara Daley have been coming to The Reader’s dementia friendly Shared Reading group in Liverpool’s Central Library since it launched in September 2023. 

Energetic, yoga-loving Liverpool great-grandma Barbara is a perfect example of how a person can live well with dementia 

Last Christmas the warm, vivacious 86-year-old widow and mother-of-four was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, a physical illness which damages a person’s brain, causing memory problems such as forgetfulness. 

One of her daughters Angela Delea, from Mossley Hill, a retired NHS manager, knew just how much her mum loved reading so when she heard of a new dementia friendly Shared Reading group starting up at Liverpool Central Library they decided to go along together – and soon became a quick-witted double act. 

The group is now one of Barbara’s unmissable weekly activities – besides her yoga class.  

Barbara said: “I'd go to the group every day if I could, I do really enjoy it. I couldn't tell you what I did yesterday, but I'm alright with a book!  

“Angela and I both really enjoy coming to this group so much. I’ve liked all the books and poems we’ve read with Joan. 

“My husband Roy and I were together for 60 years – he was the love of my life. Since I was widowed, I like to keep busy. I couldn’t bear staying in because he wasn’t there. I’ve been going to yoga for 30 years and also like Tai Chi.” 

Volunteer Reader Leader Joan Brown who runs the Central Library group, said: “It’s a real joy having Barbara and Angela in the group and, despite Barbara experiencing problems with her short-term memory, she plays an active role in Shared Reading.  

“She always reads aloud very well and takes part in all discussions, shares lovely, personal stories and reminiscences and has a great sense of humour.  

“We all think the world of them both, and Barbara is a perfect example of how, with support and understanding you really can live well with dementia.” 

Barbara’s daughter Angela said: “My mum’s always been a keen reader and loved books – she absolutely loves this group; it’s the highlight of her week.  

“What I really value is something we can both do together.  

“Listening to the lovely stories mum comes up with - chats we wouldn’t necessarily have which are sparked through the story we’re reading - I really treasure that. 

“Joan and the people in the group are all lovely. Listening to other people’s life experiences is humbling.  

“I was never an avid reader but it’s got me reading again. I have a folder in my office at home where I keep all the poems we have read in the group. I am going to give it to mum to read in the winter when it’s too cold to go outside. 

“Mum particularly loves it when new people join. It’s not just people affected by dementia.  

“We had an international exchange student from Brazil who joined the group for six-weeks. He would always sit next to mum and ask her ‘what does that word mean?’ Mum used to tell the whole family about him.” 

Joan pairs a short story and a poem every week. Members of the group say how much they love her eclectic, socially and culturally conscious choice of stories and poems. They include Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Mind of an Autistic Savant by David Tammet, to 24 Stories of Hope for Survivors of the Grenfell Tower Fire and 21 Stories for Ukraine: An Entertaining Mix of Short Stories in Aid of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. 

Liverpool’s refurbished Grade II-listed neo-classical Victorian library was Britain's first purpose-built public lending library and is set over five floors. The dementia friendly Shared Reading group meets on the ground floor every Wednesday at 1pm. To find a group near to you visit here. 

To find out how to support The Reader’s Christmas Appeal 2024 and make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia please visit here.