My Grandma Has Dementia Book

by Alex Winstanley (Happy Smiles Training CIC) in Wigan, England, United Kingdom

We did it
On 9th December 2020 we successfully raised £1,740 with 87 supporters in 56 days

We want to publish a unique new book, to teach children about Dementia, through the story of a wonderful person!

by Alex Winstanley (Happy Smiles Training CIC) in Wigan, England, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

Any extra funding will allow us to donate books to deserving causes! If you have a person, school or organisation in mind, please let us know!  


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 ↑↑ BOOK PREVIEW!! ↑↑

Everyone has that family member they seem to share a particularly special bond with - mine has always been my Grandma. 

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When she was diagnosed with Mixed Dementia over ten years ago, our family wasn't sure what life would look like for her. It's been a journey of ups and downs for our family ever since, and we have learnt a lot along the way! 

For example:

  • There are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, which is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
  • 209,600 will develop dementia this year, that's one every three minutes.
  • 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia.
  • In the UK, dementia is the only condition in the top 10 causes of death without a treatment to prevent, cure or slow its progression.
  • Globally, the numbers of people living with dementia will increase from 50m in 2018 to 152m in 2050, a 204% increase.

It is recognised that there is a crisis in children and young people's mental health care

When a close family member or friend develops dementia, each member of the family may be trying to cope with their own feelings. Adults may be upset, tired or stressed – or simply not at home as much. All of these changes can make a child or young person feel anxious.

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So I want to share my Grandma's story, to educate children and young people about the impact that Dementia & Alzheimer's can have on an individual and their family. The book is already written and ready to be illustrated and published!

The book will be published and available to buy, with donations from sales supporting the fight against Dementia & Alzheimer's. It will also be read across schools and community groups by a team of Inclusion Champions (young adults with disabilities who show what people CAN do!), from a non-profit organisation - Happy Smiles Blog CIC.

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We hope that this could spark a series of books and we have already started to write about other conditions!

Here are quotes from people who have read the unpublished draft:

"I read this to my 5-year-old, who was so excited afterwards, asked lots of questions and couldn't wait to tell his Dad about it!" - Parent

"I could now ask my son what dementia is in a week and he would know, whereas, before the story, he'd have no idea." - Parent

"It's positive and not scary for children but educational at the same time." - Care Home Manager 

"It's great teaching children from a young age about things like this" - Teacher

"It's AMAZING." - Children's Author

Your support will help to teach children and young people about something that impacts all families! Let's spread the word through the story of an incredible person!

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£20 or more

One book for me and one for a worthy cause!

If the crowdfunder is successful, you will receive a copy of the book in a paperback format and we will ALSO donate a book to a local school, community group or worthy cause!

£5 or more

I just want to make this happen!

Your £5 donation will support the illustration and publishing costs needed to get this book produced! Thank you so much.

£7 or more

I want this book! (E-book)

If the crowdfunder is successful, you will receive a copy of the book in an e-book format!

£10 or more

I want this book! (Paperback)

If the crowdfunder is successful, you will receive a copy of the book in a paperback format!

£15 or more

I want this book! (Paperback) - Outside of UK

If the crowdfunder is successful, you will receive a copy of the book in a paperback format! Extra costs to deliver outside of the UK have been included in this donation.

£25 or more

One for me & one for worthy cause! - Outside of UK

If the crowdfunder is successful, you will receive a copy of the book in a paperback format and we will ALSO donate a book to a local school, community group or worthy cause! Extra delivery costs to deliver outside of the UK have been included in this donation.

£50 or more

1-hour reading + activities + FREE paperback!

If the crowdfunder is successful, a team of Inclusion Champions (young adults with disabilities who show what people CAN do!), will spend 1-hour with you (this can be done online), reading the book and doing lots of fun activities! You will ALSO get a FREE paperback version of the book to keep!

Got an idea like this?

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