ITV Studios Announce Publication Of A Very Special Coronation Street Book Written For People Living With Dementia
ITV Studios is delighted to announce the release of a new book about Coronation Street, written for people living with dementia and other cognitive difficulties.One of the first books of its kind to be written with the input of people living with dementia, “Looking back at.. Classic Coronation Street” is a collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society and Cognitive Books.Founder of Cognitive Books, 49-year-old father-of-two and gerontologist, Matt Singleton, had the idea for a book when he noticed his father, Brian, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2017, was losing his passion for reading as his cognitive abilities declined.Using familiar stories, rhyme and rhythm for recall and illustrations ‘Looking back at … Classic Coronation Street’ brings the first thirty years of Coronation Street to life. Solving many of the barriers people with dementia face when reading, it is a unique way for readers to share early memories of the show with loved ones or carers.By collaborating with Alzheimer’s Society, Matt was able to work alongside people with dementia in the development and testing phase which proved crucial, a process Matt describes as incredibly rewarding.Matt says: “My dad has always loved reading. I fondly remember him always having a book in his hand when he had time away from his busy job.“Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in 2017. My heart sank when Colleen, my step-mum, told me one day not to buy dad any more books as he wasn’t reading anymore. I realised that, due to dementia, dad was finding focusing on the evolving plot of a story very challenging.“Given my knowledge of dementia, and innovation due to both my Masters’ degree in gerontology, and work, I seized the opportunity to solve the problem and that’s how the idea of Cognitive Books was born.“Looking back at … Classic Coronation Street is a theme that many people living with dementia, their loved ones and carers have said they’d like to see on shelves. We hope readers gain as much enjoyment from the book as they have had from Corrie over the years!”ITV’s MD of Continuing Drama, John Whiston, said "Working with Matt to enable people with dementia to bring back memories of the show is such a wonderful thing to do. Most of us know someone touched by cognitive issues and I am so very pleased to see the book out in the public realm for people to enjoy this Christmas time and beyond".Simon Lord, Head of Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The collaboration with Cognitive Books as part of Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator Programme demonstrates the positive impact there can be when expertise, dedication and a shared vision come together.“As one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime, Alzheimer’s Society’s Innovation Team is committed to developing products that enrich daily experiences and improve health and wellbeing. These products aren’t just approved by us, but by the people whose lives they will impact, thanks to our panel of people living with dementia who work closely with us.”