Moto Services supports The Reader Organisation South West

Members and Moto volunteers from Exeter Library Memory Group - with the all important cheque

Fantastic news from the The Reader Organisation's arm in the South West as Moto Services have nominated TRO South West as one of their local charities of the year.

Staff from Moto Exeter volunteer as part of Exeter Central Library's Memory Group, run by Devon County Council's Library service in partnership with The Reader Organisation and especially for people with dementia and other memory loss conditions. Like our other shared reading groups across the country, the Memory Group has proved incredibly successful, providing the pleasure and comfort of books, stimulating memories and imagination and offering support and friendship to its members and their families. For all of these reasons, we're delighted to hear that the group has been awarded an additional £1,000 in funding as part of Moto's nomination.Emily Lezzeri, Get Into Reading South West Project Worker and facilitator of the Exeter group, testifies to the importance of the group, and how it has brought a range of different people together:

"There are people here from such different walks of life. We have nine regulars and others who come when they can. One member recently told me “This group has turned me around”, which is excellent."

The group also has the backing of Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Communities, who said:

"This group gives people the opportunity to help improve their memory while meeting with others in a relaxing and friendly social group to share the enjoyment and entertainment of reading aloud. It also gives people the chance to sharing experiences and come together with others whose lives are affected by memory loss conditions, which is really important."

Speaking about the nomination of The Reader Organisation South West, Suzanne Hollinshead, Creative Director for Moto, commented:

"We are really pleased to be able to support The Reader Organisation with this grant to help run such an important group. Staff from Moto in Exeter regularly volunteer with the group and it is so fantastic to see how the members benefit from their sessions."

The Exeter Library Memory Group runs weekly on Wednesdays from 10.30am-12pm at Exeter Central Library. Groups also run in Tiverton and and Cullompton at:

• Cullompton Community Reading Group at The Hayridge Devon Centre - Tuesdays 1.30 - 3pm
• Tiverton Community Reading Group at Tiverton Library - Fridays 10.30am - 12pm