I met Gail* when we began our first Shared Reading groups with PGCE students at Liverpool Hope University. She told me that she wasn’t a keen reader and in general, didn’t really like reading or see the point in it. Over the weeks however, I could see Gail becoming more interested and engaged in the story we were reading. It was The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce. In the last group session we had before the Christmas break, she told me:
“Coming to the reading group, and reading this book, has made me remember that I do really enjoy reading – and how much fun it is to find a story you can get lost in. It’s why I’ve asked for a Kindle this Christmas, and I’m going to read the book with my little cousin!”
*Please note all Reader Stories are anonymised
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Start your Shared Reading Story
Thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering with The Reader. Your details have been sent to our team; we’ll be in touch as soon as possible using your preferred mode of contact. In the meantime, here’s some things you can do to start your Shared Reading story.
1 – Visit a group
If you aren’t an existing group member or haven’t dropped into a session yet; before training, we ask volunteers to attend an open community Shared Reading group. Groups are always free to attend and there is no need to book. Find your closest group here.
You can also get an idea of how a group works with this group snapshot video:
2 – Complete our application form
If you’ve already visited a Shared Reading group and are interested in training to become a volunteer Reader Leader, we’ll ask you to complete our application form. One of the team will email this to you, but you can also download it here if you want to make a start.
3 – Book your training session
All our volunteer Reader Leaders receive full training from our exciting and invigorating Read to Lead course – find out more about Read to Lead here.
Our courses are flexible and can be attended over three consecutive days or one-day foundation day plus three half day workshops (evenings and weekends are available).
We run multiple training courses each week. Once we’ve received your completed application we’ll be able to get you booked onto a course where you can continue your Shared Reading story.
If you have any questions please do get in touch, email volunteer@thereader.org.uk or give us a call on 0151 729 2200.
