See me. Know me.

TARGET ACHIEVED! Thank you to everyone who got behind this publication.

The book is now at the printers - if you would like to order a copy you can now from our service provider website here. It will be also soon be available from our website for seniors, See me. Know me.

Anyone who pre-purchased through this site will recieve the first copies, to be posted out in October 2020.

Background

We have been working with a group of older people to develop a self-reflection guide using a framework called 'The Map of Meaning'. We need help to fund the publication and distribution of the book.

This week, Meewon gave us her feedback:

"Life is precious. I first wondered, ‘Is it for me?’ as I am not really in the age group yet. It does guide us as to the meaning of age and provides room to do some very meaningful reflections. After reading it I realised it is for me also. As I get older I realise I have begun to enter into older age. What an eye-opening booklet! So much valuing and important reflection on age in life. Paying attention to life in the present means it is never too late to map meaning of life. Even those who have imperfect English gain from this book. It has a room to express oneself in different languages. It encourages us all to have hope and love. It’s concise yet there is so much to unpack. It has a room to explore cultural identities for those who belong in two worlds. I highly recommend it."

Below is Laurel talking about her experience with the Guide.

The Map of Meaning is an evidence-based framework to help people reflect on meaning in their lives. Lani Morris (in New Zealand), who has been involved with the application of the Map over many years, began a process with Meaningful Ageing Australia to apply it in the context of ageing. Lani spoke to over 100 people either individually or in workshops in New Zealand and Australia and drafted some content. Ilsa Hampton, CEO of Meaningful Ageing Australia, then developed a process whereby a group of older people had input into the design, layout, look and feel of the book. Ilsa wrote the final publication with this in mind, also bringing her education and reflective practice background to the task, and using Lani's draft content. The same group of older people then spent time with prototypes of the guide (prototype pictured). 

UPDATE: The reviews have been fantastic! We are making tweaks now based on the detailed feedback from the group.

There are many joys and challenges that come with ageing - by engaging with meaning, we give ourselves the ability to become more connected to that which sustains us. This Guide could be used by individuals or small groups. It is a fabulous birthday or Christmas gift. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers - it is a carefully designed self-reflection process that helps us understand ourselves better, and, to the extent that we want to share, it creates opportunities for others to understand us better also. Despite what the media tells us, ageing is a normal part of life and the way we experience it is greatly influenced by our inner world.

Each older person in our reference group browsed the prototype for the first time on a recent Zoom call. Their immediate impressions were very positive, and we are now making improvements based on their detailed feedback. The book is attractive and easy to read. It is spiral bound with a firm cover to allow for ease of handling, and small enough to fit in a bag (A5 size). It is not too heavy to hold, despite feeling substantial. The paper is a good quality that can handle ink. The illustrations, by Sam Harmer from Ballarat, are inviting and playful.

The book is especially designed for people who are approaching, or in, the years of life when they are ready to engage with the experience of ageing. Many of the ideas are of great use in the years leading up to that time also.

Following each older person's feedback about the functionality of the design and the contents, we are now preparing to have the final version ready for launch in October. We are a small not-for-profit, however, and so we need help to get the Guide printed and into the hands of older people and those who love them. We can confirm the finished product will be very close to the prototype following the strong positive feedback we have received. We are adding a new activity, "A Meaningful Day".

The contents include:

Preface          Daring to engage with ageing 

1                      Preparing to reflect  

                        Introduction to the Map of Meaning

                        Transitions of adult life        

                        Thinking about your values 

2                      Unity with others                  

                        Expressing full potential      

3                      Integrity with self                  

                        Service to others                  

4                      Inspiration                 

                        Tensions: being/doing…self/others          

5                      Using the whole Map 

                        Revisiting your first answer

                        Daring to reflect on ageing

NEW              A Meaningful Day

                        Collage: memory map

                        Preparing for a move

Printing details:

Description: 74 pages of text
Size: A5 Portrait
Stock: Cover: Gloss Self Adhesive
Text: 140gsm  

Printed by a certified sustainable greenprinter

Thank you for your interest! Please get in touch with us if you have any questions: [email protected]

Graphic design and illustration $6 000

Printing and distribution 1500 copies $14 862

Total $20 862 plus GST