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Reading Friends

News stories

Our Reading Friends community tackles loneliness across the UK through the power of reading. We have some great stories to share.

If you’re involved in press and would like to learn more about our work, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch for a chat.

Talking Book Reading Group at Wiltshire Libraries Wiltshire Libraries

"It's a much needed service" Aura Libraries, Flintshire

Bringing people together online Aura Libraries, Flintshire

Connecting with Welsh heritage Aura Libraries, Flintshire

Escape for a while Norfolk Library and Information Service

Read, Talk, Share campaign: evaluation and impact The Reading Agency

"It's been an absolute lifeline" Bristol Libraries

Join the next phase of Reading Friends from today!

“Reading Friends is the highlight of my week” Cheshire East Libraries

Partnership with Yours magazine

Librarians talk about Reading Friends

First reflections on the rollout

Mums, Bumps and Babies Rochdale Libraries

Power of Poetry Lancashire Libraries

Read, Talk, Share Reading Friends Animation

How poems helped Denise and Monica build a lockdown friendship

Read, Talk, Share Campaign announcement

Reading Friends Café at Elders Voice

"I don't feel alone any longer" Staffordshire Libraries

Chit Chat and Tall Tales Welcome Nada Savitch

Government announces £7.5 million funding to tackle loneliness during winter

Reflecting on Reading Friends during lockdown

60 Seconds with...Viveen

Richard Osman's debut novel: session pack offer Natalie Frost

60 Seconds with... Anne Marie Reading Friends volunteer, Anne Marie

We've been shortlisted for the Charity Film Awards Alison Blaxland

60 Seconds with...Kate Reading Friends volunteer, Kate

Can reading groups be used to tackle loneliness? Dr Carina Spaulding and Dr Louisa Thomson

60 Seconds with...Susan Susan

The Times Christmas Appeal 2019: read all the stories so far... Alison Blaxland

The Reading Agency chosen for  The Times Christmas Appeal  2019 Alison Blaxland

60 seconds with...Anastasia Anastasia Georgousis

The soul needs books Alison Blaxland

Reading Friends allows us to reminisce Karuna Mohandas

A new approach in Scotland Alison Blaxland

Billy book-head and beyond Richard O'Neill

How Reading Friends tackles loneliness in people with dementia Edward Cutler

How Reading Friends became a "pillar" in Horsham Mandy Jones

60 seconds with...Simon Simon Jay

60 seconds with...Lyndon Lyndon

The power of poetry Koren Calder

Reading is something I find valuable Reading Friend Arthur, from Horsham

60 seconds with...Liz Liz

Reading Friends is expanding Alison Blaxland

Sharing personal histories

You never know where discussions will go Reading Friends volunteer, Margaret

Hope for the future by uncovering the past Kay

Reading Friends made me fall in love with books again

Michael's experiences Andrea O'Donnell

Literature Wales' film highlights the impact of Reading Friends in Wales Bob Gelsthorpe

Reading Friends with Active Citizens Engaged Andrea O'Donnell

Reading Friends across the generations Koren Calder

Somebody I used to know Wendy Mitchell

60 seconds with...Gerry Gerry

We launch with West Sussex Libraries Jackie Manners

My grandma is magic Grace Stead

The fun never ends, when you're a Reading Friend Ingrid

Susie's story Mandy

Old stories, and new memories Dan Kinnair

The gift of friendship Andrea O'Donnell

Reading Friends in Museums Kath Horner

Oldham's forgotten refugees Karuna Mohandas

A poem to share Mary

We read to know we are not alone Keith Oliver

Yarn, Natter, Blether stories Alison Blaxland

Reading the Lost Words back to life Alison Blaxland

New Reading Friends sites announced Alison Blaxland

Behind the scenes Alison Blaxland

It's never too late to learn new things Ron from Abbeyfield, West Sussex

My poem about Reading Friends Reading Friends volunteer

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