Dementia Studies students, past and present, arrange a day to remember

Terry, who manages a day centre, heard that the play Beryl, written by Maxine Peake and based on the life of the record breaking Leeds cyclist Beryl Burton was to be performed at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

He contacted Nicky – who works at the Playhouse - to let her know about a client of his, Sheila, who was a keen cyclist herself in her youth, and knew Beryl.

Together Terry and Nicky arranged for Sheila not only to attend the play, but to meet the cast and other members of the Morley cycling club with whom she shared reminiscences backstage. The actors presented Sheila with a book of the script autographed by the cast and with a dedication from the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

“On the way home,” Terry says, “Sheila talked about her memories of Beryl Burton and the book she held in her hands. It was surprising to me that colleagues days later told me about the conversations that they had with Sheila regarding the play, illustrating that short term memory can be inspired by feelings close to the person’s heart.”

The photograph shows actor Dominic Gately presenting Sheila with the signed book, and Terry on the right. Terry and Nicky are now looking to extend their collaboration through another event taking place at the Playhouse at Christmas.