"Mind Guidance" programme (Umovadba)

The Maribor Public Library actively intervenes in the social space with a variety of content, responds to various social phenomena, and systematically and purposefully promotes activities in the field of inclusion of vulnerable groups.

In the light of the growing phenomenon of dementia and the already existing practices of some public libraries at home and abroad, we have established the "Mind Guidance" (Umovadba) programme in cooperation with the Aloja Institute, Maribor. The programme is free of charge. It is aimed at individuals with cognitive decline and those who wish to maintain and strengthen their cognitive abilities. It takes the form of regular weekly meetings lasting one to two hours at the Nova vas Library (every Wednesday at 10 a.m.). Using games and didactic aids from our extensive collection of toys and playthings, participants strengthen memory, motor skills, sensorimotor skills, sensory perception and speech skills.

Before the start of the programme, we provided information training on dementia for the staff of the Nova vas Library. The "Mind Guidance" programme has been well received and they are making an important contribution to its implementation.

We are also preparing and updating lists of written material on the topic of dementia, jointly marking various events, such as World Dementia Month, to raise awareness and sensitise the general public, and we are also trying to contribute to the detablisation of the phenomenon of dementia in society through content related to library activities. The reading list, which we have called "Knowledge for living with dementia", is available here (in Slovenian).