Sally Magnusson to talk about new book on dementia at Stirling event

Broadcaster Sally Magnusson is to talk about her late mother’s dementia at a special event at the University of Stirling.

The BBC journalist will read from her new book “Where Memories Go” at the University’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) on Monday 10 February.

The morning event will include contributions from the Centre’s Director of Learning and Development Shirley Law – who runs courses to support the families of people with dementia. There will also be a moving and personal reflection from carer Katharyn Barnett.

Professor June Andrews, the Director of the DSDC, said: “I’m delighted Sally Magnusson – who has been such a strong supporter of our work at Stirling – is able to come along and talk about her new book, which chronicles her mother’s dementia and her own quest for answers about this debilitating disease.

“The book is truly inspirational and I hope both professionals working in the sector and relatives caring for people with dementia will attend the event on 10 February.”

Tickets for the event are priced at £25 each. This includes refreshments and a copy of Sally’s book.

Professor Andrews said she was very impressed by “Where Memories Go”. She said: “I see a lot of memoirs about the dementia journey and this is in a different league. I was utterly taken over by the story. It is an inspiration to others who will walk this path.

“All who work in the field need to read this and reflect on what we can do to improve on the services we currently provide.”

Sally’s mother – Mamie Baird Magnusson – was regarded as one of the finest journalists of her generation, and was a star writer for the Scottish Daily Express. She had dementia for around eight years before her death in 2012, aged 86.

The new book chronicles the sadness, loneliness and unexpected laughs and joys of caring for someone with the disease.

Ms Magnusson said: “This book began as an attempt to hold on to my witty, storytelling mother. Then, as the enormity of the social crisis we were part of began to dawn, I wrote with the thought that other forgotten lives might be nudged into the light along with hers. Dementia is one of the greatest challenges of our times. I am a reporter. It became the biggest story of my life.”

A spokesperson for publishers Two Roads said: “Dementia numbers are exploding across the world – with the World Health Organisation estimating one new case every four seconds. ‘Where Memories Go’ is a timely manifesto and an extraordinary memoir in one searingly beautiful narrative.”