BOOK REVIEWS

POSITVE COMMUNICATION: Activities to reduce isolation and improve the wellbeing of older adults

'This practical and exciting activity manual is a welcome addition to the literature. Robin's clear instructions and astute choice of activities will ensure that care workers have the means to make real positive enhancements to the lives of older people.'

Danny Walsh, Senior Lecturer, University of Lincoln, UK

'Offers a timely, creative and motivational lifeline. Designed for group facilitators and older adults, it addresses important communication and wellbeing issues in helpful and practical ways.'

Marylyn Cropley, www.freeplay.1me.net

'Positive Communication is a working handbook designed for facilitators and older adults who want to explore how we might develop self-esteem and encourage personal expression and independence. The activities are all ready to use, practical and to my mind clearly tested out in practice.

The author is to be commended for such clear and systematic organisation and the publishers for printing this book with a careful eye to detail, typeface and design. I shall certainly be using some of these exercises in my work as a theological educator in the area of raising consciousness about age awareness and the importance of moving beyond information overload in our digitalised age to good human connectivity.'

James Woodward, Principal and Co-ordinator, Sarum College

INSTANT SESSION PLANS FOR ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS

Self Management

Publication – Well-being
‘A very useful bank of materials … Well worth the modest investment.’

Health and Well-being

Publication – Youth Work Now
‘There are lots of things to recommend in this resource.’

Relationships

Publication – Addiction today
‘A welcome addition to my ‘toolkit’ which I will revisit again and again.’

POSITIVE INTERACTION SKILLS

Publication – Frontline
‘This user friendly and practical book provides a flexible and thorough introduction to initiating and sustaining a communication skills programme. The sessions flow logically and each one builds on skills that the participants have learned in previous sessions. What makes this book a useful resource is its flexibility For example, experienced facilitators may prefer to approach the manual in an elective fashion, using the sessions to compliment and build on their own professional repertoire. Novice facilitators may use the book to introduce groupwork sessions into their practice and can feel confident that the resources and practical advice are available to answer any queries they may have.’
Brian Keogh
Lecturer
The School of Nursing and Midwifery
Trinity College

Dublin

Publication – Speech & Language Therapy in Practice
‘It provides detailed plans, worksheets and handouts as well as practical tips in initiating and organising group work, which would be useful for anyone not experienced in this area. The book is well laid out and easy to read … The book – and especially the worksheets – could be useful to anyone working on social skills

Helen Phillips

      Speech and Language Therapist
      Sure Start
      Carlisle South
      Petteril Bank School
      Burnett Road

ANXIETY MANAGEMENT IN 10 GROUPWORK SESSIONS

Publication – Community Care
‘An expertly designed resource for group work …health and social care professionals who are new to group work will greatly appreciate this format, while experienced facilitators may welcome this useful addition to their resource kit.’

    Joe Mills
   Senior Lecturer
   Human and Health Sciences
   University of Hudderfield

Publication – Therapy Weekly

‘Clearly set out and easy to read, this book is a valuable resource for departments looking to

provide a wide range of services with limited resources.'

      Alison Critchley
      Senior Occupational Therapist
      Gloucestorshire

CREATIVE WRITING IN GROUPWORK

Publication – Therapy Weekly

‘Well presented and easy to use, the six sections of this book have a structure which inspires

the reader to include creative writing in a therapeutic programme. I enjoyed reading this

book and I think it will prove useful to all group leaders who have an interest in this field.’

    Judith Read
     Head Occupational Therapist
      The Maudsley Hospital
      London

Publication - Adult Literacy Basic Skills Unit

'Thinking up new ideas for stimulating creative writing can be a difficult task and this book should

provide some helpful suggestions for ABE tutors. …the book is certainly a handy resource for

dipping into for ideas to ‘trigger’ writing and discussion and one that I would certainly recommend

buying.'

       Margaret Morris
       Project Officer
       ALBSU/WJEC Student Writing Project in Wales

Publication – British Journal of Occupational Therapy

‘…useful for anyone wanting to use creative writing in therapy – and so practical it is liable to get

borrowed and disappear in minutes.

Nick Pollard
Derby School of Occupational Therapy

THE NON-COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY BOOK

Publication – NAPOT

‘This is a non-competitive games and activity book which can be used with all age groups and

disciplines, but may be particularly useful for those with learning disabilities, mental health

problems, physical disabilities, or for elderly and geriatric patients.’

       Jill Manning
       Senior Occupational Therapist
       Child Development Centre
       Bury St Edmunds

MEMORY JOGGERS 1940 -1989 'Royalty' and 'Entertainers'

Publication – British Journal of Occupational Therapy

‘Both sets are worthwhile additions to any care setting with elderly people for reminiscence and

social interaction.’

       Kathryn Burge
       Charlton Lane Centre EPD
       Cheltenham