Saltcoats Library has received a welcome donation of books this week.

Local resident Winnie Henry handed over three copies of an informative piece of nonfiction she helped pen.

Winnie headed along to the library earlier this week to pass the copies of 'Challenging Assumptions Around Dementia - User-led Research and Untold Stories' over to head librarian Jacqui Dunbar.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The book's front cover.

Saltcoats and Stevenston councillor Jean McClung was also present for the handover as Winnie explained what the book is about.

FWinnie explained the non-fiction title was not written for any personal gain, but with the hope that it can help others by raising awareness.

The book was written in part as an academic piece of writing. There were 12 authors in total for this, with them all sharing their own experiences of living with dementia.

Six of the team suffer from the disease itself, while the other six, including Winnie herself, have cared for or are currently caring for someone experiencing dementia.

For Winnie, it was her husband Wullie who suffered from the cruel disease before passing away in late 2020.

It was the couple's experience of this that Winnie channelled into the book.

"The only thing he wanted was people to understand that dementia wasn't the end," she explained.

"It was always his wish that it would get out there that people with dementia can still have a life."

It is this message that Winnie and her fellow authors hope to portray within their informative novel.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Winnie's chapter in the book.

Winnie added: "I always felt I had a book within me, I just never thought I would end up as an author with this story.

"We came into the project as strangers but afterwards were very much a band of brothers.

"I just hope people realise that there is life after dementia."

It appears that the book has already had a major impact, with over 8,000 people downloading a copy thus far.

As the book was published via academic publishers, it is available online for free from tinyurl.com/DementiaBook so it can be accessed by students and lecturers alike.

Librarian Jacqui was delighted to be given copies for her shelves at Saltcoats Library.

She commented: “All our staff are dementia trained. It is quite personal to a lot of us.

"It will be great once people know we have this here with us."

Councillor McClung added: "It is fantastic that you will now be able to recommend this book, which will be able to help so many people."