Heard us on the radio? | BBC Radio 5 Live Word Matters

As part of its nationwide conversation about adult literacy – Word Matters, BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast its Drive Time show from The Reader at Calderstones on Thursday 30 September. 

If you heard us on the radio and are here to find out more about our work and how you can get involved, you’ll find some helpful links on this page. From online groups to volunteering and partnering with us – there are plenty of ways for you to make your story part of ours.  

Find a Shared Reading group near you
In-person Shared Reading is returning around the UK as volunteers and group members begin meeting again in local libraries and other community venues. You can find details of open groups on this page of our website. If you can’t see any groups listed in your local area, contact us on  support@thereader.org.uk / 0151 729 2250 and we’ll be happy to help.

Join an online Shared Reading group 
If you’re interested in attending one of our online Shared Reading Groups, head to our online platform The Reading Room to find a date and time which works best for you. 

Become a volunteer Reader Leader
Make a difference in your local community, meet new people, learn new skills and fill your personal reading library by volunteering with The Reader. 

If you’re representing an organisation – partner with us
If you think your organisation or community would benefit from Shared Reading, there are a number of ways you can partner with us. 

Donate to The Reader 
As a charity, we rely on the generous support of individuals and organisations to continue changing lives through Shared Reading. 

Become a Reader Friend
By becoming a Reader Friend, you’ll be helping more people to experience the life-changing power of literature, enabling children and families to engage in unique and wonderful reading experiences, and helping to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation through our national network of Shared Reading groups. 

Listen to The Reader Podcast
The Reader podcast is a regular, audible magazine full of exciting and inspiring content, and offering listeners a taste of what the Reading Revolution’s all about.

Subscribe to The Reader Magazine
The Reader magazine is the voice of The Reader, a national charity bringing 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. 

Discover the research behind what we do 
Our partners have carried out extensive research into the impact of Shared Reading for those living with mental health issues, dementia or chronic pain. 

Read more stories from the people we help 
Don't just take it from us, hear directly from our group members and Volunteers what Shared Reading means to them.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with the latest news and events from The Reader.

The Reader’s work is made possible thanks to the generous support of a number of donors and organisations, including commissioners, grant funders, corporate partners and individuals. 

We are proud to receive funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation, as well as support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Steve Morgan Foundation.