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Join ClinksWe’re a national charity that wants to bring about a reading revolution so that everyone can experience and enjoy great literature, which we believe is a tool for helping humans survive and live well.
Through a growing movement of 1,000 volunteers and partners across different sectors, we currently bring over 2,500 people together each week to share and discuss great novels, plays and poems. We call this Shared Reading.
By reading with families, adults, looked after children, older people in care, adults with physical and/or mental health conditions, people coping with addiction and individuals in the criminal justice system, our work is helping to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and build stronger communities.
Currently working in 35 prisons and approved premises, we reach 650 people each week:
77% report improved wellbeing
67% report improved confidence
64% say Shared Reading helps them understand themselves better and connect to others in a deeper way
Through a growing movement of 1,000 volunteers and partners across different sectors, we currently bring over 2,500 people together each week to share and discuss great novels, plays and poems. We call this Shared Reading.
By reading with families, adults, looked after children, older people in care, adults with physical and/or mental health conditions, people coping with addiction and individuals in the criminal justice system, our work is helping to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and build stronger communities.
Currently working in 35 prisons and approved premises, we reach 650 people each week:
77% report improved wellbeing
67% report improved confidence
64% say Shared Reading helps them understand themselves better and connect to others in a deeper way
Contact
Address
The Mansion House
Calderstones Park
Liverpool
Merseyside
L18 3JB
United Kingdom
Work Tel. No.
0151 7292200
info@thereader.org.uk
Website
In Brief
Primary Field of Work
Arts
Custody or Community
Custody
Community
No. of service users
650
No. of Paid Staff
100
No. of Volunteers
1000
Organisation type
Voluntary and Community Sector
Legal status
Company limited by guarantee
Year of Formation
2008
Organisation's Income
£1m - £5m
Contract History
Evidence reports
https://www.thereader.org.uk/27833-2/
https://demos.co.uk/project/society-of-readers/
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/publication/arts-and-culture-health-and-wellbein…
http://www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/Publications/Creative_Hea…
Supporting information
“Coming to the group helps me to think in a different way once I’m back in my room - it’s changed my mind-set.” Shared Reading group member, Cat. A prison
“In Shared Reading the barriers broken down – not just seen as a “white shirt”. Ideas can be discussed openly.” Prison Officer, Cat A Prison
“I’ve been in here for – it’ll be 28 years in 3 days. And to be honest, this is the best part of my week. This makes you feel human.” Shared Reading group member, Cat. A prison
“Shared Reading enables offenders to feel differently about themselves and others - bringing shifts in perspective which are part of the process of reform leading to rehabilitation. Reading and reflecting together in a safe environment loosens default patterns of being and behaving, making it possible for offenders to believe in their own capacity to change.” Dr David Fearnley, Executive Medical Director, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
“In Shared Reading the barriers broken down – not just seen as a “white shirt”. Ideas can be discussed openly.” Prison Officer, Cat A Prison
“I’ve been in here for – it’ll be 28 years in 3 days. And to be honest, this is the best part of my week. This makes you feel human.” Shared Reading group member, Cat. A prison
“Shared Reading enables offenders to feel differently about themselves and others - bringing shifts in perspective which are part of the process of reform leading to rehabilitation. Reading and reflecting together in a safe environment loosens default patterns of being and behaving, making it possible for offenders to believe in their own capacity to change.” Dr David Fearnley, Executive Medical Director, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Partner organisations
HMPPS, individual prions, NHS Trusts, CCGs, Public Health, Councils, Library Services and community and voluntary organisations
Regions
East
East Midlands
London
Outer London
Hillingdon
Barnet
South East
North East
North West
South West
Wales
West Midlands
Yorkshire and the Humber
Area covered
National - England and Wales
Fields of Work
Arts
Collaboration and partnership working
Commissioning
Lived experience involvement
Mental health
Other
Peer support
Personal development
Prison reform
Prisons
Probation reform
Research & academia
Resettlement
Through the gate
Training
Volunteering
People you work with
Children
Families
Men
Older people
People convicted of serious offences
People convicted of sexual offences
People on a short sentence
Women
Young people