The Reader is a charity that uses the power of literature and reading aloud to transform lives across the UK. Our volunteers and staff bring people together to read great stories and poems – creating powerful moments of connection. They call this Shared Reading.
In a world that feels increasingly divided, and with increased pressures on our mental health, Shared Reading offers us time and space to share what matters to us.
They read with children, families, adults in libraries and community spaces, people in care homes, people with physical and mental health conditions, those coping with or recovering from addiction and people in the criminal justice system. Our work improves wellbeing, reduces loneliness and helps us find new meaning in our lives.
The Reader is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and Garfield Weston Foundation, as well as The National Lottery Community Fund.
Two volunteer opportunities have arisen to train as a group leader with the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity based in Liverpool.
The Reader is recruiting two volunteers to lead a community Shared Reading group at Halton Lea Library on Fridays, 2pm – 3.30pm which is open to all, while also welcoming speakers of other languages, and a second ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) group at Widnes Library on Wednesdays, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, to support their wellbeing. Both of these groups are funded by an Our Halton Community Grant. At Shared Reading groups, people connect and share experiences using stories and poems. There is no pressure to talk or read aloud.
The Reader is looking for someone with:
A passion for bringing diverse people together in their community. Empathy, patience, the ability to listen and to hold a range of perspectives.
A desire to explore a range of literary texts and genres.
Reliability and commitment to leading a regular Shared Reading group.
Visit here for more details and to apply