City Reads’ Spreading the Word scheme has helped make a real difference to people’s lives through reading and sharing books.

This innovative scheme saw City Reads recruit a team of volunteer Reading Champions to help run five community reading groups across the city. Over the last few months those Reading Champions have successfully delivered the project to a range of people throughout Brighton & Hove, many with literacy issues and/or poor access to books and learning support…

“Really great and really brilliant. Really enjoyed it. They were really good to us. I shall miss the Book Club.” Jill

‘I thought it was marvellous, absolutely marvelous. You could follow the story…quick, turn the page over! Wonderful … I think we should have a longer time. Excellent!’ Greg

THE VOLUNTEERS:

City Reads received an overwhelming number of requests from Brighton residents to become Reading Champions.

After a thorough selection process, the twelve chosen volunteers were CRB checked and given specialist training (in conjunction with Brighton’s Creative Future) to cover all aspects of working in the community sector.

“I was scared and nervous at first but got more confident and relaxed as time went on. I’d do it again. I gained confidence working with people and facilitating groups and it raised my awareness of mental health issues”

THE GROUPS:

The next stage was to recruit the community groups across the city who would take part in the scheme. The Spreading the Word 2010 groups were:

• Care Co-ops – those with mental health and learning difficulties
• Sussex Partnership Trust Community Mental Health Day Centre – those with mental health problems
• Women’s centre – marginalised women
• Patching Lodge – elderly people
• Adult Learners – adults with literacy issues recruited in conjunction with Brighton & Hove Library Services

“The group was excellent and our clients really enjoyed it – we want them to come back next year.”    Debbie Seacombe, Care Co-ops

THE DELIVERY:

City Reads set up reading groups within each of these community settings, providing free books and readers guides for each session. The Reading Champions (working in pairs) then met with the individual groups each week to read, share and discuss the books…

“The group brought the book alive.” GM

“A+++ experience. The group helped my reading, the volunteers were great and it’s improved my confidence to read some more.” NA

“The workshop really helped increase my concentration”JGS

The project has been a huge success, and a big thank you goes out to all who took part – from volunteers and trainers to clients and groups!