Rachael Litherland
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rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Rachael Litherland
@rachaellitherland.bsky.social
890 followers 1.6K following 990 posts
Co-director at Innovations in Dementia. Based in Exeter, originally from Lancashire. Developed the DEEP network, led #Dementia Enquirers. Books. Walking. Dogs. Hills. #ecfc
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rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Looking forward to speaking at this #dementia event in the lovely #York today. Talking about coproduction and supporting people with dementia to shape research programmes 👇
spindnetworkplus.bsky.social SPIN-Dementia Network Plus @spindnetworkplus.bsky.social · 10d
Registration closing soon for a free '4-in-one' event in #York. The day will include updates on not only the SPIN-D flexible fund research, but also #APPLETREE (dementia risk reduction), #GRACE (family caregiving) and #GOODLIFE (peer-to-peer education for dementia) projects.
October 6, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
lbflyawayhome.bsky.social
Harsh. Very harsh

‘Bedtime Rhymes’ (1946)
Writer: Geoffrey Lapage
Artist: George Brook
Little girl dressed in a red dress is crying. Near her a nurse dressed in old-fashioned uniform stands nearby, protectively but smiling. 
October 3, 2026 at 6:38 PM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
If you are living with #dementia or another #neurological condition (or caring for someone with) in the UK please do fill out this survey 👇 We would be grateful for getting it to the right people, please repost
September 30, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
denpruexeter.bsky.social
Please share the above link widely @mndassoc.bsky.social @headwayuk.bsky.social @fndhope.bsky.social @alzheimersresearchuk.org @parkinsons.org.uk @cureparkinsons.org.uk @hda.org.uk

We also have the survey available as a Word doc - email [email protected]
September 29, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
groomb.bsky.social
The lane outside Grandma's had a stream running down the middle of it and plenty of mud. They held hands and slithered along together. Illustration by children's author Shirley Hughes, born in West Kirby.
September 27, 2026 at 7:34 AM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Take 6 ten and eleven year olds, stick them on a trampoline for an hour, given them sugar and a bunch of accessories…and they act like they are on a hen do. Happy Birthday to the littlest one 🎉 🥳
Small child in Hawaiian flowers with furry glasses, plus parrot plus a birthday headband
September 27, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
desdelboy.bsky.social
Morning all

Hattersley, Greater Manchester, 1970s. Photographer Thomas Blower. Via BCA britishculturearchive.co.uk
September 25, 2026 at 7:01 AM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
@denpruexeter.bsky.social
exeterlibrary.bsky.social Exeter Library @exeterlibrary.bsky.social · 13d
The MS Society presents: Poetry by Robbie Gillett

An evening of inspiring and thought-provoking poetry from Robbie Gillett, exploring what it’s like to live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

📍 Exeter Library
📅 Sat 14 Nov, 6pm-9pm
🎫 Free, booking required: www.eventbrite.co.uk...
Robbie Gillett
September 25, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
coleybbq.bsky.social
Absolutely love this.
Being stoic doesn’t achieve anything.
A safe place to sit and talk.
Love my club
officialecfc.bsky.social Exeter City FC @officialecfc.bsky.social · 13d
🗣️ A Place To Talk: Exeter City installs new Talking Bench at SJP

Thanks to supporter Sharon Dumbleton, we have installed a 'Talking Bench', an initiative born from Sharon's own experience with mental health. 🧠

🔗 Find out more ➡️ exetercityfc.co.uk/talkingbench

#ECFC #OurWay
September 25, 2026 at 10:12 AM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Fabulous
localnotail.bsky.social Jane @localnotail.bsky.social · 14d
Come on down to the Council House for International Day of Birmingham, see the Re-Union Jack ♥️ #OneBrum

Goldship have repurposed dozens of dirty & torn polyester flags removed from Birmingham's lamp posts to create a huge Union Jack, adorned with the names of people who have called Birmingham home
Photo of artwork description GOLDSHIP Re-Union Jack 2026 Repurposed polyester flags/Mixed media. Re-Union Jack is an ongoing community art project conceived by GoldShip, the creative duo of textile sculptor Clare Elisabeth and event producer Sam Shipman. Repurposing dozens of dirty and torn polyester flags removed from Birmingham's lamp posts, Clare and Sam, alongside countless contributors from the wider community, pieced them together to create a huge Union Jack. The flag was then transformed over several months by countless more contributors into a visual celebration of the people and stories that have helped shape the West Midlands. Across its surface are the names of influential Midlanders, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon Beorma, after whom Birmingham takes its name, through to the present day. Each has a connection to migration, immigration or the positive influence of people who have made the West Midlands their home. Together, these names reflect the region's extraordinary history as a vibrant melting pot of cultures, ideas, talent and communities - and the positive contribution that migration has made to its identity. The flag has since been signed in black by many of the people whose names feature upon it as a collective endorsement of its message of unity, inclusion and community. Photo of huge Union (Jack) Flag on lighting truss in the hall of the Council House. It's glorious and bears many names upon it of the people of Birmingham Each has a connection to migration, immigration or the positive influence of people who have made the West Midlands their home.
September 24, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
officialecfc.bsky.social
🗣️ "League Two’s highest rated ground is Exeter City’s St James’ Park – ranked 31st with a score of 4.5!"

Take a look at the Guardian's article on the highest rated stadiums in the UK ⬇️

theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/23/football-stadiums-highest-lowest-google-rating-the-knowledge

#ECFC #OurWay
September 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
tanitatikaram.bsky.social
How I feel right now about the British/ 🇬🇧English( whatever) political landscape is that some one wrapped in a Union Jack could whack me over the head with a flag pole & the BBC would shove a microphone in my face asking why I provoked the attacker & the Home Sec would invite the attacker for tea .
September 23, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
exetercouncil.bsky.social
Got an idea for a community event or project in Exeter? You could apply for a City Grant of up to £2,500.

Get help with your application at a free workshop on Monday 19 October, 6.45–8.30pm, at The Beacon Community Centre. Everyone’s welcome.

Book: eventbrite.co.uk/e/taking-the...
Graphic for Exeter City Council’s Community Grants Workshop. Large red and purple text reads “Community Grants Workshop”, above the words “Practical advice. Local impact. Stronger communities.” An illustration of houses, trees and a sunny sky fills the right-hand side.
September 23, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
anna-orridge.bsky.social
Not come across a love story to match it, in honesty.
admirablewomen.bsky.social Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 20d
#OTD in 1937, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" was first published.

Written by Zora Neale Hurston, considered one of the pre-eminent writers of twentieth-century African-American literature. #LitSky #BookSky
This is a side-by-side split image honoring Zora Neale Hurston & her seminal novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Left panel: A classic black-and-white photographic portrait of Zora Neale Hurston, the renowned Black author, anthropologist, and Harlem Renaissance figure. She is shown in a head-and-shoulders close-up, facing slightly toward the viewer with a warm, confident, and radiant smile that reveals her charisma and vitality. Hurston wears a dark, wide-brimmed hat tilted stylishly, which casts a subtle shadow and frames her face. Her dark hair is visible beneath the hat, and she has expressive eyes, full cheeks, and a composed yet lively expression. The image has the soft, grainy quality of mid-20th-century gelatin silver photography, set against a plain or lightly textured backdrop, emphasizing her dignified and engaging presence. Right panel: A vibrant, colorful book cover illustration for Their Eyes Were Watching God. The design features a bold, folk-art-inspired graphic style with a dominant green and black color palette. At the top, lush green leaves and branches spread across the sky, with small birds or insects amid the foliage. Below, a stylized, silhouetted or semi-abstract depiction of a figure gazing upward surrounded by tall grasses or organic forms in shades of green, gray, and black. The title "THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD" is prominently displayed in large, white or light blue block lettering near the bottom, with "ZORA NEALE HURSTON" credited as the author. A quote from Alice Walker appears at the very bottom: "There is no book more important to me than this one—Alice Walker." The overall aesthetic is earthy, poetic, and evocative of the novel's Florida settings, rural life, and spiritual undertones.
September 18, 2026 at 8:39 PM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
It’s a slow #Saturday
White dog with head on paws and a very boopy nose
September 19, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
officialecfc.bsky.social
We will be holding a minute's applause for Kevin Miller ahead of kick-off tomorrow ❤️

Please make sure you arrive early to show your respects to a true club legend at this incredibly sad time.
September 18, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com
in this week's newsletter! I didn't have phone internet in Beijing so instead I wrote down every single nonsense English slogan I saw on people's t-shirts, and it may be my magnum opus: youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/some-beiji... [free to read!]
September 18, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
imcmillan.bsky.social
My new poetry collection from @carcanet.bsky.social ! In all good bookshops!
September 18, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social
Some dogs went on a hike, and this is how they ended up after the whole day.

Original post
September 19, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
lbflyawayhome.bsky.social
‘Model-making’ (1977)

This picture was clearly captured in the 4-minute interval between opening the packet and the plasticine colours getting mixed up.

Artist: Harry Wingfield
Two children are playing with plasticine . One child has made a yellow dinosaur and the other boy has made a blue… Maybe elephant? 
September 18, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
exetercouncil.bsky.social
Local community groups are being invited to apply for the latest round of Exeter City Grants funding.

The scheme supports events, festivals, and projects that promote community participation.

Applications are now open until Tuesday 13 October.

More: news.exeter.gov.uk/community-gr...
September 17, 2026 at 2:35 PM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Any work been done on people with #dementia or #aphasia using/learning #BSL or gestures from BSL ? @simonwheeler.bsky.social
September 16, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Rachael Litherland
dorianlynskey.bsky.social
But the story is funnier (and less racist) if you imagine middle-aged men milling around in parkas and Paul Weller haircuts
September 16, 2026 at 7:59 AM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
T’was lovely down the flood relief today. The white dog does all the heavy lifting, the little brown dog is just take, take, take. #exeter #earlyautumn
White dog retrieving stick in flood relief Exeter. Small brown dog nose waiting to stick grab Brown dog steals stick from white dog
September 16, 2026 at 10:13 AM
rachaellitherland.bsky.social
Lucked out at the work meeting today when the person I was meeting brought along her two dogs! 4 year old Goose and 16 (!!!!) year old Rocky.
old brown dog, smiling. White fluffy dog that looks like a cloud
September 15, 2026 at 6:57 PM