The residents at Fairview Care Home have enjoyed their weekly outing over the last six weeks, to take part in an intergenerational Reading Friends project at their local library where they have been matched with ten 13 and 14 year old pupils from their local high school.

Getting together to read and chat

Reading Friends was able to connect pupils with participants in an intergenerational project in Stirling, Scotland. Pupils with an interest in reading were selected, as well as those who were less keen but would benefit from reading on a regular basis. A number of students were keen to take part, and some people even had to be placed on a waiting list for a later scheme.

Community connections

Margaret, a Reading Friend, described how much she enjoyed her weekly visits and all of the chatting. She wished they could read together longer.

I so enjoy our chats and Abbie reading from books to me. My eyesight’s gone now so I cant read myself anymore. I love reading but even large print I struggle with. I listen to audio books at night but fall asleep before the CD’s finished, this way I get to find out what’s happened because I never remember the place I was at with the CD.

Margaret

A pupil’s perspective

Here’s what some of our young volunteers had to say about their Reading Friends experience.

‘It was a brilliant opportunity to read books you haven’t read before and make friends. It can also get you involved in reading groups.’

Reading Friends volunteer

Get Involved

Find out more about Reading Friends in Stirling.