Join the Reading Revolution
We’re a national charity that wants to bring about a Reading Revolution so that everyone can experience and enjoy great literature, which we believe is a tool for helping humans survive and live well.
From our global Shared Reading movement, to our Calderstones Park home – The Reader builds lively communities that bring people together and books to life.
Find a group near you-
94%
Felt better after a session
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526
Groups around the UK
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10,000+
Readers a year
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84%
Made new friends
What's Happening
Please note that all groups and activities at the Mansion House are currently paused, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Join in online, with Daily Readings, Yoga and Storybarn activity right here.
Daily Reading
Follow @thereaderorg for readings via video FreeWhilst we've closed the Mansion House to keep our staff and visitors safe, we're taking the Daily Reading online! Usually...
Summer Eats in The Secret Garden
Book slots throughout the day FreeAfter months of closure, the Mansion House is slowly re-emerging to serve the community at Calderstones once again. While we’re still...
Storybarn Live!
Every Friday, 11.30am via Facebook Live FreeThe Storybarn may be closed, but we're using this time to recreate that whimsical experience online! As ever, we'll be...
Become a volunteer
Love reading? Love meeting new people? Want to make a difference locally? If so, Shared Reading could be the thing for you. And you could be just the person for us.
The Reader at Calderstones
The Reader at Calderstones is a community unlike any other, somewhere people can get together, experience literature and try something new.
Drop in at the Mansion House to get a bite to eat at The Reader Café, join a Shared Reading group or explore 5,000 years of storytelling in our dedicated exhibition.
Explore the park, where you’ll find the Storybarn play space and The Reader Ice Cream Parlour.
The Mansion House
The Mansion House is a reading home with heart – drop in to discover a place filled with possibilities.
The Calderstones Story
Discover stories of life in Liverpool, starting 5,000 years ago, in our dedicated exhibition.
The Storybarn
Our imaginative play space for children and families will spark a lifelong love of reading for pleasure. Join us on...
The Storybarn
The Storybarn exists to spark a life-long love of books and reading, and an unending curiosity for exploring the astonishing worlds of our imagination.
Whether you’re coming as family, party or school, this imaginative play space is dedicated to sharing the delights of reading with babies and children.
Come and play!
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8,937
Storyhunter and Incy Wincy Rhymer attendees
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95
Birthday parties
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111
School visits
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23
Family fun days
News
The Reader launches new services to keep people talking and reading together through lockdown
National charity, The Reader, is adapting its work to help communities find connection and meaning by delivering reading activities online and over the telephone during lockdown. Under the banner…
Black Lives Matter and Diversity – A Message from The Reader
'It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.' Audre…
The Reader Cafe and Mansion House – site update
The Reader Café in the Calderstones Mansion House has now reopened with a new takeaway menu providing drinks and snacks. The Reader Café, followed by…
