Questions and answers

A life story book is a short, picture-led book about a person: where they grew up, the work they did, the people they love and the things that make them smile. For someone living with dementia it is a gentle conversation starter, and it helps carers, nurses and visitors get to know the person behind the condition.

A printed A4 book of about 20 pages on thick 300gsm card, matte laminated so the pages wipe clean, stapled along the fold. You also get a one-page "About me" sheet for the care home file or a hospital bedside. UK delivery is included. Extra copies of the same book are £19 each.

Life story books get used: on laps, at mealtimes, passed between carers and visitors. Each page is laminated on both sides, so a spilled cup of tea wipes straight off and the book survives being handled every day.

One large photo, a short heading and one or two short sentences, written in the first person ("I married Jim in 1968"). One clear font, two strong colours and no busy backgrounds, following published dementia-friendly design guidance. Every photo sits in the same place on every page so it is easy to find your way. You can see every page in the sample book.

Most of the work is finding photos and remembering stories. The form takes you one chapter at a time with simple prompts, and the pages lay themselves out as you type, so many families can finish in an evening or two. Relatives can add their photos over a few days whenever suits them.

Yes, that is the idea. You get an invite link to share on WhatsApp, text or email. Relatives and old friends open it, add photos with a short caption, and answer a prompt or two. They don't need to create an account. You see everything they add and choose what goes in the book.

Only if they would like to. Many families sit together with old photos and use their words as the captions, which can be a lovely afternoon. Others build the book quietly and share it when it arrives. The book is about the person, so involve them as much as they want to be involved.

Photos from your phone are fine, and so are photos of old prints taken in good light. We check every photo and warn you if one is too small to print sharply. Please only add photos of other living people if you have their permission to share them.

Yes. When you are happy with the pages you ask for a proof, a PDF of the finished book. Check names, dates, spellings and that photos are the right way up, then approve it or ask for changes. Nothing is printed until you approve.

Your book is printed after you approve the proof and usually arrives within 5 to 7 working days, posted to any UK address. We email you when it is on its way.

Yes, extra copies of the same book are £19 each, posted with your book. They are popular for a second home, a sibling who lives further away, or one to keep at the care home and one at home. You can add them when you order or until we delete the book's photos, 30 days after it is posted.

You can cancel for a full refund at any time before you approve your proof. Because each book is made for one person, we can't take it back once it has been printed, but if it arrives damaged or with a printing fault we will reprint it free. See our terms.

For delivery before Christmas, order and approve your proof by 10 December. After that, a gift card is a lovely alternative: give it at Christmas and build the book together while the family is gathered, for delivery in January.

Your book is private and only reachable through your own links. We use your photos and answers only to make your book, and we delete them 30 days after your book is posted. We never sell or share them. Read the privacy notice.

No. The book is about a life, not an illness, so there are no questions about diagnosis, medication or medical history. The "About me" sheet covers the everyday things that help carers: the name they like to be called, what they enjoy talking about, how they take their tea and what helps them feel calm.

No. We are an independent business and we are not endorsed by any charity. Our layout follows published dementia-friendly design guidance, and our guides link to free advice from the NHS, Dementia UK, Alzheimer's Society and Age UK. If you need support, Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline is free on 0800 888 6678.

Yes. The book is A4, wipe-clean and easy to keep by a bed or in a lounge, and the "About me" sheet is designed to sit in a care file. Care staff often ask families for a life history when someone moves in. If you work in a care home, see Still Me for care homes.