There are Facebook friends, Twitter friends, Instagram friends, and then there are Reading Friends. You would think that the title says it all and that there would be little else to say but there is so much more to Reading Friends. Coming together with a shared interest helps tackle loneliness often experienced by older people in the community. It’s a chance to meet a diverse but like minded range of people over some prose, memories, and above all, laughter. So, let us take you on a tour of what happens at a typical Reading Friends group.

The recipe for amends, is to join Reading Friends

Once a week we come together
It doesn’t matter about the weather
A mixed bunch we are
From both near and far

Loneliness is an issue
It’s a tough time to get through
But the recipe for amends
Is to join Reading Friends

We like to read, and laugh, and natter
About all the things that to us matter
With poetry, books, and plays
Making a change to our days

A chance to relax, and read with our friends
The extent of the literature, it just never ends
And if you don’t like what it is that you read

No book can be complete
With a chance to sit and critique
The style of Keats, Wordsworth or Shelley
Oh, now that’s a mouthful, tiny but heavy

So to lighten the mood we’ll bring some food
With cake on our plates and tea in the pot
We’re ready to tackle what the Brontës’ have got

But it’s not all historic, and heavy, and wordy
Please don’t think it’s just for the nerdy
We indulge in Pam Ayres, Milligan and Rowling
And authors and poets we find compelling
Funds from the Lottery help keep the service going
The word is out and the members are growing

A short documentary was very complimentary
To show the country up and down
That the fun never ends
When you’re a Reading Friend

Get involved

Find out more about Reading Friends in Horsham, and register your interest to get involved.