Bupa Care Homes to Host Storytelling Week Events

LONDON, January 20, 2011 - Bupa Care Homes in Yorkshire are preparing to enjoy a number of
storytelling events in support of National Storytelling Week (29 January to 5
February 2011).

This year, Bupa has teamed up with charity The Reader Organisation, which
has been working with care homes (
www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes) since 2006, promoting the links
between reading and wellbeing.

Members of the local community and local school children have been
invited to take part in the events, which are also designed to celebrate the
art and value of story telling.

Residents in Bupa's care homes will be reading and will be read extracts
from "A Little, Aloud", a collection of short stories and poems specifically
chosen by The Reader Organisation to be read out loud.

Siobhan Drane, Bupa's community affairs manager, said: "Storytelling is
one of the oldest and most loved pastimes there is. It captures imaginations
and really helps stimulate thoughts and memories.

"Everyone is very welcome to join us for Storytelling Week, whether
that's to listen to old tales, read a story out loud or write a poem to share
with us."

Katie Clark, dementia and elderly care project manager for The Reader
Organisation, continued: "Great stories stand the test of time and the link
between reading aloud and wellbeing has been well researched, bringing real
benefits to peoples' lives.

"Joining residents in Bupa's care homes across the UK is a great
opportunity to celebrate Storytelling Week, capture imaginations and share
the joy of reading aloud for pleasure."

Now in its eleventh year, National Storytelling Week is organised by the
Society for Storytelling.

Altogether, over 300 care homes are hosting storytelling events
throughout the UK.

About Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week 2011: Saturday 29th January - Saturday 5th
February 2011.

The Reader Organisation is a charity dedicated to bringing about a
Reading Revolution - connecting people, improving wellbeing and inspiring
minds through books and reading.

For more information, visit thereader.org.uk. Its collection of short
stories and poems, "A little, Aloud", is available for general purchase with
all royalties going to the charity.

About Bupa Care Homes:

Bupa care homes offer the highest standards to those in its care. Bupa
uses its experience and knowledge to ensure that each resident, their
families and friends, are treated as individuals at all times. Bupa offers a
range of specialist care including dementia care homes (
www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes) and nursing homes
(www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes/types-of-care/nursing-care).
Bupa cares for over 18,000 older people in the UK with75 percent of those
receiving contributions towards their care home fees (
www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/care-homes/about-bupa-care-homes/affordable
-care) from Local Authorities or Primary Care Trusts.

Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. A
leading international healthcare group, Bupa offers personal and company
health insurance, runs care homes for older people and hospitals, and
provides workplace health services, health assessments, corporate health and
wellness, seasonal flu vaccines and chronic disease management services,
including health coaching, and home healthcare.

Employing over 50,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world,
principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as
Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America.

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    PR Contact:
    Zerrin Levy
    Brando
    247 Tottenham Court Road
    London
    W1T 7QX
    +44(0)20-3423-5015
    www.bupa.co.uk

PR Contact: Zerrin Levy, Brando, 247 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7QX, +44(0)20-3423-5015