Books

    Instant Session Plans for Essential Life Skills

      This comprehensive series of four books addresses the essential and acquirable skills we all use to manage and cope with life. They are a resource bank of Instant Session Plans that enable both inexperienced and experienced facilitators to make ‘instant’ and timely changes to programme sessions, and respond positively to specific requirements of group members for: coping with the events and situations they face daily; having their personal needs met; and achieving their ambitions.  Each book contains:
       

      • An introduction session for use with a new group
      • Session to bring the group to an end
      • 4 sessions on 10 different topics

        The topics are:

        Self Management

          Contents:
          Assertiveness
          Building Confidence
          Time Management
          Self-esteem
          Anger Management
          Stress
          Daily Living Skills
          Managing Change
          Self-awareness
          Encouraging Creative Thinking

        Health and Well-being

          Contents:
          Managing worries
          Looking After Your Mental Health
          Coping with Depression
          Dealing with a Crisis
          Healthy Living
          Bereavement and Loss
          Staying Positive
          Changing your Habits
          Tasking Risks
          Learning to Relax

        Learning and Development

          Contents:
          Unlocking Your Potential
          Learning to Learn
          Becoming Self-motivated
          Self-coaching
          Emotional Development
          Harnessing Creativity
          Life Management Skills
          Understanding Yourself
          Learning from Experience
          Planning for Your Future

        Relationships

          Contents:
          Communication Skills
          Relationship Skills
          Resolving Conflicts
          Building a Support Network
          Expressing Feelings
          Making Friends
          Working with Other People
          Being Part of a Team
          Networking Skills
          Interview Skills

      Each session can be used on its own; as a supplement to other material; as part of a programme of several sessions tailored to meet particular needs; as part of a comprehensive course. Each session requires minimum preparation and lasts about one hour. Each contains aims, plans, homework assignments, photocopiable handouts, plus clear step-by-step instructions for the group leader, with timings, for activities that involves participants working as a group, on their own, in pairs and in sub-groups.

      Readership
      For youth workers, therapists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, psychologists, care staff, prison and probation staff, and teachers … This flexible and adaptable ‘tool kit’ resource has been tried and tested over many years of work with diverse groups of adults and young people, and promotes dynamic and enjoyable learning and development.

      Order direct from Russell House Publishing Ltd at www.russellhouse.co.uk, www.amazon.co.uk or from any good bookshop


    THE MEMORY BOX

      A multi-use resource, The Memory Box contains a guidebook and 120 discussion cards to facilitate general reminiscence, produce memory diaries, put together guided autobiographies, or to help facilitate life reviews.

      • Divided into twelve themes, the cards cover: family background; childhood and school days; adult life and children; working life; events; achievements; places; people; good times and bad times; favourite things; love and romance; and bits and pieces.
      • The cards can be used with individuals or groups using spoken, recorded or written responses, and are adaptable for use with most clients and groups.
      • Includes guidance on working with groups with learning difficulties, sensory or speech difficulties, dementia or bereavement, depression and illness.

      Ideal for use by tutors, care workers, nurses and occupational therapists working in hospitals, day centres, residential homes or education settings facilitating the process of reminiscence.

      Contents
      A guide to using The Memory Box: Introduction; Using the cards for specific purposes; Working with different types of clients; Respecting differences; Issues to bear in mind; Appendices & 120 cards, boxed.

      Readership
      Care staff, nursing staff, occupational therapists and tutors in day centres, residential homes, hospitals and adult learning centres.

      ISBN-13: 9780863885563
      ISBN-10: 086388556X
      120 cards 105 x148mm  + 32pp instruction booklet, boxed

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net , www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.


    The Group Leader’s Toolkit
     Activities & Strategies for Working with Groups   

      An essential resource for all kinds of groups, these tried and tested strategies will stimulate and encourage full participation from all group members.

      • Provides ideas for introducing group members to each other; breaking down barriers; energising people; helping people learn; moving the group on; building trust between group members; motivating people; assessing and evaluating the group; managing behaviour and personal responsibility; and ending sessions.
      • The activities are set out in a clear, easy to follow format, with variations and guidance for adapting the activities.
      • Will enable group leaders to promote group members’ self development, meet the needs of their different learning styles; stimulate their creativity and develop their thinking skills.

      This toolkit is an invaluable resource for tutors, occupational therapists, nurses, care staff, probation staff, youth leaders or anyone – new or experienced – who works with groups.

      Contents
      Introduction; The toolkit; Introductions and ‘icebreakers’; Building trust; Energisers; Learning; Motivation; Problem solving; Managing behaviour and personal responsibility; Assessment and evaluation; More useful tools; Closures; Index.

      Readership
      All types of group facilitators including tutors, youth leaders, care workers, social workers, nurses, probation officers, psychologists or anyone facilitating groups in day centres, residential homes, education centres, hospitals, youth centres and schools.

      ISBN-13: 9780863885655
      ISBN-10: 0863885659
      Approx 160pp, A4 wire-o-bound

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net , www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

    Positive Interaction Skills
    A group therapy Manual

      Positive Interaction Skills provides group facilitators with a flexible programme to enable participants to develop good personal interaction skills.

      • The programme can be adapted to suit a wide variety of groups, settings and needs. Full guidance notes for facilitators, session plans, handouts and activity guidelines are provided to enable the session themes to be fully developed. 
      • The book is planned so that sessions can be used independently as required to meet identified needs.

      This practical and thought-provoking resource is filled with workable ideas that can be used to improve interaction skills in meaningful ways. It is an indispensable resource for occupational therapists, nursing staff, teachers, probation officer, speech & language therapists, counsellors, youth leaders, social workers, care staff, community psychiatric nurses or anyone wanting to run an interaction skills programme.

      Contents
      Understanding body language; Making conversation; Starting, sustaining and ending relationships; Creating trust and learning to self-disclose; Overcoming shyness and loneliness; Controlling social anxiety; Handling emotions and feelings; Building confidence and self-esteem; Learning to negotiate.

      Readership
      Occupational therapists, nursing staff, teachers, probation officers speech therapists, counsellors, youth leaders, social workers, care staff, community psychiatric nurses or anyone wanting to run an interaction skills programme.

      255pp, A4, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0-86388-360-5

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net , www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.


    Anxiety Management
    In ten groupwork sessions

      Designed for anyone wanting to develop an anxiety management programme for use with groups or individuals , this practical handbook will be an invaluable resource to social workers, professionals and individuals who are called upon to work with people who have anxiety problems. The book is divided into two parts:

      • Part 1 provides information for anxiety management training
      • Part 2 consists of 10 chapters that each look at specific aspects of anxiety management and provides photocopiable session plans, exercises and handouts for a ten-week programme, which is adaptable for use with all client groups and to the time available.

      This valuable working manual will help everyone understand anxiety and explore techniques for successfully controlling it. Robin Dynes encourages an experiential learning approach throughout. Once learned, these new skills will enable effective anxiety management for life.

      Special features

      • Few resources available for small group and individual training for anxiety management
      • Provides information for understanding and controlling physical feelings of anxiety
      • Outlines practical and effective communication skills and becoming assertive
      • Photocopiable session plans and handouts allow group leaders to customise their own ten-week programme.

      Readership
       Social workers, probation officer, occupational therapists, care workers, nurses and counsellors.

      256pp, A4, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0-86388-222-6

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

    The Non-Competitive Activity Book

      This superb practical handbook contains 100 activities that are non-competitive and can be used across the whole spectrum with individuals or groups. It provides indispensable material for use with learning disabilities, mental health, physical disabilities and regressed psychiatric or geriatric patients.

      • The non-competitive nature of these activities ensures that people feel safe in making a contribution, and fear of failure or disappointment is effectively eliminated
      • Divided into photocopiable sections, these provide a session format that focuses on maintaining and increasing the function of the whole person
      • An ideal resource for day centres, hospital, care homes and the creative group leader.

      160pp, A4, illustrated, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0 86388 372 9

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

       

    Creative Games in Groupwork

      Presented in a format that immediately allows you to see what materials are needed, how much preparation is required and how each game is played, this book presents practical resource material in an accessible format.

      • Ideas include introduction and mixing exercises, games using gentle movement, exuberant games, puzzles and brain teasers, verbal games, pen and paper games, and more.
      • Includes a special outdoor selection, and advice on how to make your group successful.
      • Ideal for scout and church leaders as well as occupational therapists, activity organisers and social workers.

      260pp, A5, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0 86388 367 2

      Order direct from Speechmark publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk or from any good bookshop.

       

    Creative Writing in Groupwork

      Activities designed to help participants express themselves, explore situations, compare ideas and develop both imagination and creative ability.

      • Bursting with more than 100 ideas and activities for encouraging creative writing as an effective activity for individuals and groups
      • Contains hundreds of alternatives, suggestions for further development and ideas for discussion.
      • Barriers to writing and expression an be broken down with Robin’s gentle advice

      160pp, A5, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0 86388 377 X

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

       

    Memory Games for Groups

      This wonderfully practical handbook features 100 inspiring games for use in a variety of settings, such as day centres, hospitals and care home. Ideal for either group use or on a one-to-one basis, the games can be played for fun and enjoyment or with a specific purpose in mind. The games featured can easily be made simpler or more difficult, to meet the needs of the individuals concerned. Although primarily intended for use with older people, the games in this book can be enjoyed by people of all ages and used:

      • as part of a social activities programme
      • to help keep people oriented to the world around them
      • to exercise memory skills
      • as the prelude to discussion so that individuals can share difficulties and explore methods of aiding memory.

      160pp, A5, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 086388 439 3

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.Speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

       

    The Reminiscence Puzzle Book

      Spanning the years 1930 to 1989, this is a highly practical and enjoyable puzzle book. It covers events, people, entertainment and everyday life and is designed to encourage group to recall and discuss their own personal experiences.

      • Each decade contains six puzzles: Who did what?, Scramble, What happened?, True or false, What’s the connection? And famous people crossword
      • Fully adapted according to the needs and abilities of individuals within the group.

      204pp, 251 x 195mm, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 086388 348 6

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

       

    Memory Joggers 1940 – 1989
    Notes by Barbara & Robin Dynes

      Discussion around well-produced flashcards is wonderful way of animating any group and here are two sets on popular topics that are bound to trigger treasured memories, create interaction and help stories flow.

      • These cards are notable for their quality of production and also for the recent memories they introduce
      • The two titles in this series, Royalty and Entertainers, introduce one card for each year from 1940 to 1989.
      • Some cards are in black and white, and some are in colour

      Each pack contains 50 laminated cards 210 x 148mm + notes for guidance boxed

      Entertainers

        Introduces people like Bill Hayley, a young Frank Sinatra, The Goons, the Beatles and other favourites such as Violet Carson, Morecambe & Wise, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Includes brief biographical notes and ideas for use.

        ISBN 0 86388 358 3

      Royalty

        Always controversial, there have been many events in the life of the royal family that trigger memories and associations for older people. In 1948 Price Charles was born, in 1977 the Queen celebrated her silver jubilee and the wedding of the year in 1960 was Princess Margaret’s. Historical events that link to the memories of today’s older generation make this a powerful set of cards indeed.

        ISBN 086388 154 8

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

    The Winslow Quiz Book (Revised Edition)
    Edited by Robin Dynes

      A firm favourite for many years, The Winslow Quiz Book, contains more than 2,000 questions categorised into 40 stimulating subjects.

      • Designed for those who use quizzes as a group activity with a layout that enables the organiser to rapidly locate the required topic.
      • Aimed at adolescents and adults alike, the questions are all realistically within the scope of the average person
      • Grouped into three ability levels
      • Topics cover areas such as cookery, geography, proverbs, sport, general knowledge and more. The topics are listed on a loose sheet that can be photocopied and distributed among the group.

      108pp, 251 x 195mm, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0 86388 440 7

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.

       

    Quiz Book for Groups
    Famous People by Ted Payne
    Edited by Robin Dynes

      This photocopiable manual contains 50 different quizzes – a total of 1,000 questions – related to people: past, present and fictional. Each section contains a quiz based on the surnames of famous people, a ‘pot luck’ quiz, and three others on different subjects related to people.

      232pp, A4, wire-o-bound
      ISBN 0 86388 524 1

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop

       

       

    Treasured Memories
    Carlita Hunter
    Edited by Robin Dynes
    Designed by Ian Franklin & Ben Adkins

      Designed for older people in day centres, hospitals or residential care, this board game encourages players to recall people, events, things and stories from their past.

      • Use this activity as a trigger to share memories that might otherwise stay forgotten and at the same time they can socialise, develop friendships, reminisce and simply enjoy themselves.
      • Benefits include exercising long-term memory, assisting with a life review process, helping individuals maintain their identity and providing social support.
      • Includes 48 action cards with activities such as ‘demonstrate how to pump up a bicycle tyre’, and 100 Question cards recalling events from the past, such as ‘Did you ever see a silent movie? Who starred in it and what became of them?’

      Game board, playing pieces, large dice, 48 action cards, 100 question cards + instructions, boxed

      Order direct from Speechmark Publishing Ltd at www.speechmark.net, www.amazon.co.uk  or from any good bookshop.