Dementia support, and author events, at Flintshire libraries

It's not called getting old, it's called getting ill: Dementia Action Week, May 15-21.

Dementia diagnosis rates have stagnated, many are facing dementia alone, without access to the vital support that a diagnosis can bring.

This Dementia Action Week we're supporting individuals and their families to seek a timely diagnosis and avoid reaching crisis point. You can fill out a symptoms checklist online www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

Our friendly staff are available should you need help to get online. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but we believe it's better to know. And so do 91% of people living with dementia.

Support and advice at the library for Dementia Action Week.

• Drop in Dementia Advice and Support

Our friends from NHS Wales Memory Service will be available to chat, give support and advice on May 30, at Connah's Quay Library. All are welcome

• Reading Well - Dementia

All our libraries have special Reading Well for Dementia collections, within these books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition. The books provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, and personal stories. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in your local Library.

Alzheimer's Society Dementia support helpline: 0333 150 3456

Visit https://bit.ly/3Wa55Y4 for information on local groups, advice and support.

Find us on social media - @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries on Facebook and Instagram and @LibFlintshire on Twitter.

Titles are available to borrow from Aura libraries as either a book or e-book or eAudiobook. You can browse these titles and hundreds more on our online library catalogue!

Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and Libby to a PC, Laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and Libby apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found here: www.aura.wales/libraries

The history of your area

May is also a month where we celebrate local and community history. All our libraries have information on the history of their area and our colleagues at Northeast Wales Archives in Hawarden have a huge number of resources to help you find out more https://www.newa.wales/

We also have some special events and activities throughout May to celebrate all the wonderful stories and history of communities in Flintshire.

Buckley Library are hosting a fantastic exhibition from The Buckley Society during May about the fascinating history of Buckley. There is a special event on Saturday, May 20 and the society hold a monthly drop-in session on the last Wednesday of the month in the library at 2pm for people to drop in for a chat and a cuppa to find out more about the history of the town.

You can pop into Flint Library every Tuesday between 10am-noon to find out more about Off Flint - Celebrating our town, castle and coast an exciting project to involve local people in recording, conserving and celebrating the rich heritage of Flint town, castle and coast. For further information please contact Jo Danson, community heritage officer, on 01352 703042 or communityheritageofficer@flintshire.gov.uk

Mold Library have a Mold Memories group which meet every Wednesday at 2pm for people to chat about places, people and events in Mold.

Murder in the library…

Join us for Mid-day Murder at Flint Library in partnership with The Bookshop, Mold where our guest will be author Simon McCleave.

Simon is a million-selling British crime novelist, his first book, The Snowdonia Killings, was released in January 2020 and has sold more than 200,000 copies. Simon will be talking about his latest DI Ruth Hunter novel and his new series with DI Laura Hart.

The event will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday, May 18. Tickets are £5 and available from either Flint Library 01352 703737 or The Bookshop, Mold 01352 759879.

There will also be another Murder in the Library event on Thursday, May 25 at 7pm in Mold Library. Actor, author and stand up comedian, Mark Billingham will be in conversation with fellow crime writer Luca Veste in Mold Library. Mark will be talking about his latest book The Last Dance, in which he introduces a new detective Declan Miller.

Mark and Luca are members of the rock band Fun Lovin' Crime Writers, a combo of bestselling crime and thriller writers who performed at the Glastonbury Festival in 2019. We can't promise any music, but we should be in for a very entertaining evening, that shouldn't be missed. Tickets are £6 or £24 including a copy of The Last Dance and are available form Mold Library 01352 703780 or The Bookshop 01352 759879.

Visit us on social media to view handy information about our services, events, and lots of book and audiobook recommendations.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!

• Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.