Join Derbys Book Festival as a Shared Reading Volunteer

Make a real positive impact in Derby, meet new people, learn new skills and expand your knowledge of brilliant and quirky literature. Derby Book Festival are appealing for more volunteers to help us keep our Shared Reading community project open during the autumn and winter months.

“A fantastic project that’s valued, fun and inspiring,” David, Shared Reading volunteer.

We have recently secured National Lottery funding which enables us to confidently continue the Shared Reading project for the next five years.

What is Shared Reading?
People meet up, read, listen and chat about great stories, poems, comedy sketches and song lyrics. Reading together has a unique power to connect us and is a proven way to help tackle loneliness and isolation in communities.

Shared Reading in Derby
We run successful Shared Reading sessions across Derby in care homes, libraries, colleges, community cafes and online for housebound people.  Volunteers run these sessions – they are the heart and soul of the Shared Reading project.

Making a positive difference
Recent research by the University of Derby found our Shared Reading project had a positive impact on wellbeing. It brings people together to explore different literature and cultures in safe and supportive spaces.  People who take part are from aged 16 to 99 years old!

What do volunteers do?
They run Shared Reading sessions for different groups across Derby. You’ll be fully trained by Festival staff and we’re always on hand to support.

What is the volunteering commitment?
We ask volunteers for a minimum of 2 hours every 2 weeks.

Interested?
Get in touch shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk and we can have a chat.
You can find out more: https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/community/shared-reading