Guest Blog: Polly’s Picture Stories

We’ve had some fantastic feedback from one of our Book Clubs in West Sussex that we wanted to share with you. Here’s a guest blog from Polly’s Picture Stories. Welcome to the Beyond Words community Polly and friends!

Our group is called 'Polly's Picture Stories’, after Polly, who volunteers to run it, and meets fortnightly. Our attendees are very engaged with the books and really gaining the confidence to participate in discussions, which often digress in all directions!

Polly and the group have given the people we support a brilliant opportunity for readers and non-readers to have a shared experience and interpret their own stories from the pictures. This opens up group discussions and shared experiences, and delivers valuable life skills, which the whole group benefits from.

Our members always look forward to Polly's Picture Stories and proudly wear their membership badges in anticipation. Debsy said it has given her confidence to chat more with friends. Hannah really loves the stories and likes naming the characters. Sam said that it helps her to chat through experiences, and she gets support from her friends. 

'The Beyond Words Book Club - 'Polly's Picture Stories', has been a great success for the people supported by the Aldingbourne Trust, based at our country centre. The membership numbers have grown, and we are all extremely grateful to Polly for giving her time to run this group.