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-
93%
Felt better after a session
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700
Groups around the UK
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10,000+
Readers a year
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84%
Made new friends
What's Happening
Groups and activities at the Mansion House are currently paused due to COVID-19 but we’re finding new ways to keep reading together and stay connected.
Secret Garden
Thursday 15 April - Sunday 16 May, Various Times £10.00Join us in The Secret Garden for outdoor dining every Thursday - Sunday throughout April and May. Share in the...
Poetry Walk
Thursdays, 11am - 12noonFree, book a ticket online. Join us for a restorative walk around the park, accompanied by some nourishing poems. No...
Kitchen Disco
Saturday 31 May - Sunday 6 June, Various Times £7.50Get ready to go bananas next half-term at The Storybarn’s exclusive disco in the Mansion House Secret Garden. Inspired by Clare Foges and Al Murphy’s fruit filled book Kitchen...
Shared Reading at home
Every Tuesday at 1pm on FacebookEvery Tuesday from 1pm, and the first Thursday of the month at 7pm, join us on Facebook live for an...
Spoken Word in the Secret Garden
Third Thursday of the month £10.00"I thought that spring must last forevermore; for I was young and loved, and it was May." - Vera Brittain...
Shared Reading in the Secret Garden
Weekly on Tuesdays, various timesThe Reader is looking forward to welcoming some new Shared Reading sessions to our Mansion House Garden. The literature shared...
Tiny Acorns
6 week Indoor Sessions, from Friday 21 May, 2.30pm £49.00£49 for 6 weeks - booking includes a copy of our featured baby board book to keep and share again and...
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.
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 extends partnership with National Prison Radio to support wellbeing of residents
Following a successful pilot project in 2020, The Reader is collaborating with prison-based charity, Prison Radio Association, on a series…
The Reader Podcast: Episode Two Out Now
When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with…
Open to All – Join a Shared Reading Group on Zoom
Shared Reading groups are free and open to all, and you can now join in from the comfort of your…
