How did it start?
Gill Ashby
Gill Ashby was a qualified NHS (UK National Health Service) Occupational Therapist tackling diseases of old age like memory loss and dementia then had a second career as a high-tech entrepreneur. When her parents were later affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, they found it increasingly difficult to enjoy their usual quiz and activity books, even the rather demeaning children’s quizzes which is how it all started. It seems obvious that people with a wealth of life experience, memories and interests could be stimulated by suitably adapted puzzles and quizzes. So Gill conceived the Bright Old Sparks range of books and puzzles using her experience in rehabilitation.
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas has also been active with Bright Old Sparks, both with reminiscence sessions run by the Norris Museum in St Ives, Huntingdonshire and, with a community café he runs in Milton, near Cambridge, England. With the latter, the tea and cakes are a compliment to games, crafts and conversation. Chris has been publishing books by local authors since 2004 with his company Milton Contact Ltd. as well as being a published author himself. He brings his technical and design skills, photography, illustration and puzzle setting to Bright Old Sparks.
Collaboratory elderly care
We, Gill and Chris, therefore seemed like a perfect fit for a collaboration that would combine Gill’s ideas and her expanding contacts in elderly care with Chris authoring skills and publishing company. Our Bright Old Sparks books’ layout, content and subjects are all arranged to stimulate, entertain and engage memories and skills that risk being forgotten, all in an entertaining format.