Sheila Hollins

Belonging to a community reduces isolation, gives people meaning and purpose, and can equip people to contribute more fully. To belong to a community means that people recognize you for who you are, care for you and miss you when you are not there. Going to Church can support people to explore aspects of a church community, and to decide if they want to be part of it. It will also help a church community actively consider how to reduce the barriers...

This is a story about what can happen when a person has epilepsy. People do not need to be able to read in order to understand the story. In the book we follow one man's daily life - on the bus, at work, and out with his friends. We see him having a seizure, going to the doctor, having a brain scan, an EEG, a blood test, and taking daily medication. There are also examples of activities which people with epilepsy need to be careful about, such as...

This is a book about two people who are introduced by friends. Mike and Janet get on well and enjoy doing things together. They decide they want to live together, but initially their families try to discourage them. This love story traces the ups and downs of their relationship, until they are able to make a commitment to each other. Readers can identify with Mike and Janet, and use the book as a starting point to explore their own relationships,...

This is a story about what can happen to a girl when she starts her period. People do not need to be able to read in order to understand the story. Susan does not understand what is happening to her when she finds blood on her sheets and clothes. She does not tell her mother, but goes straight to school. In the playground, other girls giggle and point at the blood stains. Susan doesn't know why they are laughing at her. A teacher notices what is happening...

This is a story about what happens when a person is arrested. Some people call this being 'nicked'. The police arrest people who they think have done a crime. People who are under arrest often feel worried about what will happen. They do not know what to do. This book will help people to understand what is happening when they are arrested, even if what happens to Dave in this story is not exactly the same as what happens to them.

After her dad is violent towards her mum, Katie is sad and distracted at college. Her teacher supports the family to get the help of an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and the police. Katie and her mum are kept safe. Katie's dad is court-ordered to join a group to stop his abusive behaviour. Growing up in a family where there is domestic abuse can leave a young person with painful and overwhelming feelings. It can have a considerable impact...

Jenny has moved to a group home, but she is very unhappy and unsettled. Things come to a head when her support worker finds a photo of Dad. Sensitively, the support worker helps Jenny to feel secure enough to talk about why she is upset. Jenny discloses that she was sexually abused by her father. The story shows how the warmth and trust of her support worker and friends begin a healing process, which will bring hope and a fresh start for Jenny. Jenny...

This is a story told in pictures about Ann, who is diagnosed with dementia. We see her GP and her supporter trying to provide the right care for Ann in the early days of her dementia until she becomes so confused that she has to move into residential care. If you know someone with an intellectual or learning disability who has dementia, or who has a family member or friend with dementia, you can use the pictures in this book to help them understand...

Sonia is feeling sad and worried. Her family want to find some help for her and take her to see the doctor. The doctor gives her antidepressant medication. Sonia does not feel better and returns to see the doctor. This time he decides to send her to see a counsellor. After some time to talk about her worries Sonia feels much better.

Louise is alarmed when Fred keeps falling asleep. His GP diagnoses type 2 diabetes. He is shown how to change his diet and take regular exercise, and we see him cooking and eating a healthy meal. His GP prescribes medication when Fred feels tired again. He feels much better at his annual review when he gives a urine sample, has his blood pressure taken and his feet checked.