Bupa Care Homes to Host Storytelling Week Events

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Jan 20, 2011, 08:52 ET

LONDON, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bupa Care Homes in Yorkshire are preparing to enjoy a number of storytelling events in support of National Storytelling Week (29 January to 5 February 2011).

This year, Bupa has teamed up with charity The Reader Organisation, which has been working with care homes since 2006, promoting the links between reading and wellbeing.

Members of the local community and local school children have been invited to take part in the events, which are also designed to celebrate the art and value of story telling.

Residents in Bupa's care homes will be reading and will be read extracts from "A Little, Aloud", a collection of short stories and poems specifically chosen by The Reader Organisation to be read out loud.

Siobhan Drane, Bupa's community affairs manager, said: "Storytelling is one of the oldest and most loved pastimes there is. It captures imaginations and really helps stimulate thoughts and memories.

"Everyone is very welcome to join us for Storytelling Week, whether that's to listen to old tales, read a story out loud or write a poem to share with us."

Katie Clark, dementia and elderly care project manager for The Reader Organisation, continued: "Great stories stand the test of time and the link between reading aloud and wellbeing has been well researched, bringing real benefits to peoples' lives.

"Joining residents in Bupa's care homes across the UK is a great opportunity to celebrate Storytelling Week, capture imaginations and share the joy of reading aloud for pleasure."

Now in its eleventh year, National Storytelling Week is organised by the Society for Storytelling.

Altogether, over 300 care homes are hosting storytelling events throughout the UK.

About Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week 2011: Saturday 29th January - Saturday 5th February 2011.

The Reader Organisation is a charity dedicated to bringing about a Reading Revolution - connecting people, improving wellbeing and inspiring minds through books and reading.

For more information, visit thereader.org.uk. Its collection of short stories and poems, "A little, Aloud", is available for general purchase with all royalties going to the charity.

About Bupa Care Homes:

Bupa care homes offer the highest standards to those in its care. Bupa uses its experience and knowledge to ensure that each resident, their families and friends, are treated as individuals at all times. Bupa offers a range of specialist care including dementia care homes and nursing homes. Bupa cares for over 18,000 older people in the UK with 75 percent of those receiving contributions towards their care home fees from Local Authorities or Primary Care Trusts.

Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. A leading international healthcare group, Bupa offers personal and company health insurance, runs care homes for older people and hospitals, and provides workplace health services, health assessments, corporate health and wellness, seasonal flu vaccines and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.

Employing over 50,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America.