Meet Reader Leader at Swan Women’s Centre in Sefton, Irene ‘A ‘haven’ from the other stresses and strains in their lives’ ‘

The UK’s largest Shared Reading charity is celebrating its amazing team of volunteers throughout June inspired by Volunteers’ Week 2025, Monday 2 June – Sunday 8 June.  

LOCATION: Sefton/Liverpool 

ROLE: I am a volunteer Reader Leader. I run a weekly Shared Reading group in Swan Women's Centre in Sefton that provides mental health support for women through counselling, group support, befriending and group activities. 

WHY DID YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE READER

Through a partnership between The Reader and the Swan Women’s Centre in Litherland, Liverpool, where existing volunteers were offered the opportunity to do Reader Leader training and deliver Shared Reading as an activity within the centre. 

Although I knew little about Shared Reading at this stage, I was excited at the prospect of being able to learn more about it, to develop my own skills and experience and to be able to deliver an additional activity that could help improve people’s mental well-being. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE?    

When I got involved I knew that I had not made reading a priority in my own life. Researching literature and delivering Shared Reading has certainly helped me to turn this around. The experience has certainly been good for my own mental health and learning - and I thoroughly enjoy promoting and sharing these benefits with other women. 

I find exploring literature together creates a ‘level playing field’ for participants with different life experiences. The discussions that emerge can go in any direction, and each week I get quite excited at the prospect of where we might end up with these. 

As we review what we have read in the group, I am just so enthralled by the knowledge, views and life experiences that the women bring to this, as well as their willingness to share these during our discussions. I have learnt so much from our conversations and feel privileged to be part of these. 

It is also lovely to hear members of the group say how beneficial Shared Reading is to them and how it is a ‘haven’ from the other stresses and strains in their lives. It is for me too! 

If you would like to find out more about The Reader and the volunteering opportunities we offer including training as a Reader Leader, please visit here.  Volunteers receive full training and ongoing support from The Reader. 

As a charity we rely on the generous support of individuals and organisations to help us change lives through Shared Reading. A donation allows us to train volunteers, provide resources for groups and help reach more people. We want to make sure everyone can attend a Shared Reading group, no matter their background, income or situation, and we'll be so grateful for your help. Make a donation