The Reader is an award-winning national charitable social enterprise based in Liverpool which for over a decade has been bringing people together across a range of settings – mental health wards, prisons, schools, libraries... [ view full abstract ]
The Reader is an award-winning national charitable social enterprise based in Liverpool which for over a decade has been bringing people together across a range of settings – mental health wards, prisons, schools, libraries and care homes, through the use of Shared Reading.
Shared Reading is a simple idea with a powerful impact, which has been demonstrated to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, build resilience and strengthen communities. By bringing people together in small groups to read a book, short story or poem aloud, Shared Reading groups create a safe and welcoming space where individual thought and feeling is recognised and valued. Group members can choose to read aloud, share personal reflections or simply listen and in this way form real connections with the literature and with each other. Research from the Centre of Reading, Literature and Society (CRILS) at the University of Liverpool, in conjunction with Mersey Care Mental Health Trust - longstanding partners of The Reader - reveals Shared Reading as an effective non-medical intervention that has demonstrable positive impact for both volunteers and group members alike - including those living with dementia. See research findings here on how Shared Reading has helped alleviate both psychological and physical pain, as well as highlights on the use of Shared Reading here as a treatment for those living with episodes of psychosis, supported by the Guy’s and St Thomas Trust. There’s more information about The Reader at www.thereader.org and CRILS here https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/psychology-health-and-society/research/reading-literature-and-society/.
The workshop will offer chance to participate in and experience a Shared Reading group with a trained facilitator. Group facilitators known as ‘Reader Leaders’ are trained to develop Shared Reading within their own communities or workplaces through Read to Lead training courses. Immediately following the conference there will be opportunity to attend a three day Read to Lead training course that will equip you to develop your skills as a Reader Leader and set up your own Shared Reading group. This will run from Monday 4th- Wednesday 6th September in a city centre venue in Liverpool - more information is available on the conference website and bookings can be made through The Reader, learning@thereader.org.uk, 0151 729 2200
