Journal article: the value of book clubs

Journal article: the value of book clubs

Beyond Words Founder, Baroness Sheila Hollins, Beyond Words Director Barry Carpenter and Leeds University’s Jo Egerton have written an article highlighting the benefit that our book clubs are having for people with learning disabilities. The article, titled ‘Book clubs for people with LD – evidence and impact on wellbeing and community participation of reading wordless books’, will be published in the journal ‘Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities’.

Healthy living books launched in Covent Garden

Healthy living books launched in Covent Garden

Books Beyond Words has launched two new titles to support people with learning disabilities in crucial areas of healthy living. Launched in Covent Garden on 1 November, Rose Gets in Shape and Going to the Dentist are designed to support people to manage their weight and promote good oral care. 

Speaking at the launch, Prof Parveen Kumar, Chair of the BMA Board of Science, said “These books will have an important impact on public health.”

Baroness Sheila Hollins, Founder of Books Beyond Words, said: “There are challenges in anyone’s lives to live healthily, and these challenges increase when there are obstacles in communication and understanding. These new books help to break down the barriers and support the health education of people with learning disabilities, so that they can make choices about their lifestyle, and when to access health care. This is about health literacy, and empowering everyone to play an active part in managing their own health.”

Two new books to support healthy living

Two new books to support healthy living

We are delighted to announce the launch of two new titles in the Books Beyond Words series. Rose Gets in Shape and Going to the Dentist focus on specific areas of risk for people with learning disabilities, obesity and oral health. Both are major risks for people with learning disabilities, where the prevalence of both is much higher than in the general population. Risk factors, such as poor diet, lack of self-care and social exclusion are common causes of weight problems and poor oral health. These books will help dismantle some of the barriers that stop people accessing public health education and primary care and preventative services.

Why are Libraries so important to our culture? Beyond Words Founder Baroness Hollins addresses the House of Lords

Why are Libraries so important to our culture? Beyond Words Founder Baroness Hollins addresses the House of Lords

Baroness Hollins spoke passionately at the House of Lords on Thursday 13 October about the necessity for libraries within our society. Libraries form the basis of many of the Beyond Words’ book clubs, providing people with learning disabilities the opportunity to share their feelings in a safe and welcoming environment. As Baroness Hollins says, “We should never underestimate the personal, social and cultural capital that comes from belonging to and participating in such valued mainstream activities and facilities.” 

Mental Wealth Festival - A Celebration

Mental health and mental wealth is about everybody. We’ve spent three successful days discovering and rejoicing in so many different ways to enhance our mental health. The festival, brought together by Books Beyond Words and City Lit, celebrated the numerous ways we can all contribute towards our own and others’ mental wellbeing. There is no health without mental health: it is the key to our wellbeing. 

Beyond Words partnership with Pearson & Project Literacy

Project Literacy is a global campaign that is dedicated to building partnerships and driving action that will raise awareness of illiteracy as an urgent issue on the world’s agenda. The campaign and its imagery are designed to be hard-hitting so the images being used are dramatic. Take a look at the video and explore the alphabet here

Sign the petition here urging the UN to put literacy at the heart of every action to advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

An artist’s journey with 'Picture This'

An artist’s journey with 'Picture This'

In 2015 I started illustrating for the publisher Books Beyond Words, who produce books for adults who have learning disabilities. Telling stories through pictures, without the use of words, the books support empowerment and inclusion for people who don’t read words. They deal with many of contemporary life’s concerns, such as health, emotional and social issues. Having worked for several years in the learning disabilities sector, I had a particular interest in accessible communication, so this work immediately appealed to me. First, I was commissioned for two illustrations for a reprint of the ‘Going Into Hospital’ title. Since this book’s original publication in the 1990’s, the Hospital Passport format has been widely adopted by people with learning disabilities; it’s an accessible document carrying the user’s vital health data, their likes, dislikes, and cultural information. I produced an image of a Hospital Passport, and a patient using his Passport to help him communicate with a nurse.

For the full article click here.

Beyond Words have gone mobile and created a new app to enrich the lives of the people you care about

Beyond Words have gone mobile and created a new app to enrich the lives of the people you care about

It’s finally here. Beyond Words has gone mobile and created a new app to enrich the lives of the people you care about.

The BW Story App holds over 400 short picture stories and 1800+ pictures from across our entire back catalogue. Discover 25 years of our publishing history through a simple interface that allows you to access content from over 50 publications at the touch of a button.

Criminal Justice Series - New Editions

Navigating the criminal justice system can be confusing, and frightening regardless of ability. Imagine being unable to read or to understand the all of the jargon which makes up the many documents and legal procedures. Imagine feeling like an observer while potentially life-changing decisions are made on your behalf. These are just some of the obstacles faced by people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.

Picture This book launch

Picture This book launch

Picture This is a project which gives creative freedom to people with learning disabilities to create stories that stimulate their imaginations and interest them. It is an innovative new project for publisher Beyond Words in partnership with Kent Libraries. The ‘Picture This – Story Sharing’ project, funded by Arts Council England, brought together three artists with nine Beyond Words book clubs for adults with learning disabilities, to produce three new books. These will be an extension of the Books Beyond Words series focussing on fun, lighter reads for leisure.