Announcing The Reader’s Big Give Christmas Challenge 2017

Written by The Reader, 16th November 2017

Last Christmas you helped us raise over £40,000 to support socially isolated older people through Shared Reading. This year, we're aiming even higher. Help us reach out to lonely older people this Christmas.

Many of us find it difficult to open up about our mental health, recent statistics show nearly 8 million people over the age of 55 have experienced depression or anxiety. In an ageing society it’s a growing concern.

At The Reader, we bring people together through Shared Reading – weekly groups where stories and poems are read aloud for everyone to enjoy. It’s a friendly space where people can talk and form connections with the literature as well as with each other. It’s a simple idea but has huge impact.

Want to be part of the story? How can you help?

Or simply help us spread the word:

Every £1 DOUBLED!

Thanks to The Big Give, we have an incredible opportunity to raise £50,000 to train and support new volunteers to bring Shared Reading to care homes and community settings. For every £1 you give, our sponsors will double it, so your generosity goes even further.

Donation window opens in:

Every penny makes a difference!

Donate £10 to give one Shared Reading group enough stories and poems to spark conversation and connections for a month.
Donate £50 to help run a Shared Reading group for a week, giving up to 12 older people the opportunity to spend some quality time together.
Donate £150 to give a volunteer Reader Leader the ongoing training and support they need to keep their Shared Reading group running for a whole year.

Who will I help?

Your donation will help change the lives of some of the UK’s most isolated people. By training volunteers and supporting them to run their own Shared Reading groups we can help older people live healthy, fulfilling lives.