THE founder of a social enterprise providing books for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia has achieved national recognition.
Helen Bate, who launched Peckforton-based Pictures to Share, has received the 2007 New Venture Award from Women in Publishing.
The group provides a forum for the discussion of ideas, trends and subjects of interest to women in publishing.
A delighted Helen received the award, which recognises involvement in groups which are under-represented, at a ceremony in London.
It follows on from the enterprise being awarded funding last summer by the Andrews Charitable Trust to allow the business to become sustainable.
Pictures to Share was started by Helen in 2005 after she had become aware of the lack of books and other media for people with dementia when her mother was affected.
She had previously worked as an architect in Chester before retraining at NEWI, Wrexham.
“I discovered nothing was being done by publishers to provide alternative types of books that people with or without dementia could enjoy together,” she said.
Helen is grateful for the help which has made the books possible.
Initial funding enabled trials to be carried out at Prospect House Nursing Home in Malpas and Crawfords Walk Nursing Home in Chester among others.
The first three books, published in November 2006, have been a huge success.
“They have been bought by many care homes, libraries and individuals across the UK and even as far afield as Canada and New Zealand,” said Helen.
The books are available at www.picturestoshare.co.uk or by mail order.
