Shared Reading in Derby

Shared Reading is a community programme delivered by Derby Book Festival. Our Shared Reading groups aim to improve wellbeing, foster connections, and alleviate feelings of isolation through a shared love of words.

What happens at a Shared Reading session? All kinds of literature is shared: poems, short plays, comedy sketches, song lyrics, diary entries, letters and short stories – anything goes. These friendly and inclusive sessions are guided by trained volunteers. People only read out loud and chat if they want to. Lots of people join our Shared Reading sessions just to listen. Everyone is welcome.

How is the reading material chosen? Volunteers and participants choose the reading material to share at the sessions.

Who would benefit from Shared Reading? Anyone can benefit, but particularly people looking for new groups to join, or who’d like an introduction to different types of literature, or would like to make new friends.

See below for details of our free, regular Shared Reading groups in Derby. Everyone is welcome. No need to book.

Artcore café 8 Albert St, Osnabruck Sq., Derby, DE1 2DS

Weekly: Every Thursday 11.30am -12.30pm

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Riverside Library Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS

Monthly: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am (2nd Wednesday of each month)

• 8th May
• 12th June
• 10th July
• 7th August

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Mickleover Library Holly End Rd, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 0EA

Fortnightly: Tuesdays 2-3pm or 12:45-1:45pm

Send an email to shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk so we can secure your place at Mickleover library.  The next sessions are:

• 26th March
• 9th April 12:45 – 1:45pm
• 23rd April
• 7th May
• 21st May
• 4th June
• 18th June

Alvaston Library 1252 London Road, Derby, DE24 8QP

Fortnightly: Thursdays 10.30 – 11.30am

• 21st March
• 4th  April
• 18th April
• 2nd May
• 16th May
• 30th May
• 13th June
• 27th June

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Online Shared Reading group

Weekly: Tuesdays 2-3pm

Email shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk for the Zoom link to join these sessions.

Want to know more? Email us at: shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk