I was a teacher for 30 years and a writer in my spare time before taking up writing full-time in 1989.
I began full-time writing by working as a writer in residence in a prison and a hospice before beginning an 11 year stint as Writer in Residence for a private healthcare company concentrating on people with dementia living in nursing homes.
I was also Writer in Residence at the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling. Between 1999 and 2004 I conducted work there exploring communication with people with dementia through a wide variety of arts activities.
Since then I have worked independently, continuing to explore creativity and communication in the context of dementia, including some very interesting poetry residences which you can read about on our previous projects page. My main current interests include how humour, improvisatory drama and play can open up communication and help to develop relationships. Just now I am writing a book about play and dementia, and another one for supporters of people with dementia.
Kate and I met in 1996, and started working together in 1997 and since then have collaborated on various projects which you can read more about elsewhere on the site, but you can find out about our main joint work here. And you can find out about my recent 75th birthday present - organised by Kate - here.)
I have another website (also recently re-located and under development) which deals with my poetry and literary criticism work. It is www.johnkillick.co.uk.