Croeso! Get Into Reading goes Welsh

Get Into Reading can currently be found in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and we're delighted to announce that we'll now be taking reading for pleasure to the fourth corner of the UK - The Reader Organisation has been awarded a share of the latest Big Lottery Fund (BIG) awards to develop a three year Get Into Reading project across North Wales.

As part of the People and Places programme, which supports local and regional projects that encourage co-ordinated action by people who want to make their communities better places to live throughout Wales, we have received £236,309 to establish over 30 shared reading groups throughout North Wales in a variety of settings, bringing great literature and people together within the area. The project will also offer training opportunities to people within the communities to lead their own reading groups and spread the Reading Revolution even further. Get Into Reading North Wales will prove to be more than geographical new ground: it will also see groups being bilingual for the very first time, reading in both Welsh and English.

The success of the bid means big things for Get Into Reading and The Reader Organisation, as Deputy Director Chris Catterall says:

“Our Get Into Reading groups meet weekly to read aloud together for pleasure, so are accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. They provide regular social engagement, allowing people to connect with each other, as well as increasing personal confidence and improving emotional wellbeing. Through consultation with local community members and organisations, we have identified a real need for this work in North Wales, and are delighted that we have the opportunity to bring the positive effects of shared reading to the area.”

In total, £1,992,425 is being awarded through BIG’s People and Places programme to support 13 projects - of which Get Into Reading Wales is one - all with the aim of bringing people together to make communities stronger and to improve rural and urban environments.

A big 'llongyfarchiadau' (that's 'congratulations' in Welsh) to all involved!