Each week, The Reader brings people together at Shared Reading groups across the UK. These groups are free, and for everyone.
At Shared Reading groups, a trained Reader Leader selects stories and poems to read aloud together. Everyone is welcome to share how the words make them feel, as well as their thoughts, ideas and memories. There is no pressure to talk or read aloud.
Shared Reading happens in all sorts of places like cafes and cathedrals, shops and theatres, community centres and libraries, hospitals and care homes. All groups are completely free to attend.
If you’re looking for a Shared Reading group at our home in Calderstones in South Liverpool, please visit our What’s Happening page.
Or if you’re looking for an online Shared Reading group, head over to our Reading Room site to book your place.
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350+
Regular weekly activities
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19,500+
Readers a year
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95%
Feel better
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81%
Helps connect with others
Search for a reading group
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East Midlands (9)
- Boston Library Shared Reading Group
- Leicestershire Shared Reading - Coalville Library
- Leicestershire Shared Reading - Glenfield Library
- Leicestershire Shared Reading - Hinckley Library
- Leicestershire Shared Reading - Wigston Library
- Leicestershire Shared Reading Ashby Library Monday 10.30
- Leicestershire Shared Reading ESOL Group Loughborough Library
- Shared Reading Group - Blaby Library - Thursday - 11:30 AM
- Shared Reading Group - Market Harborough Library - Tuesday - 14:00 PM
- Eastern (3)
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London (45)
- Age UK H&F Activity Centre Shared Reading Group - Monday 11.30 am
- Amnesty Bookshop Shared Reading Group. 1st and 3rd Fridays. Starts 8 May.
- Camden Town Library Shared Reading Group
- Childs Hill Library Shared Reading Group - Hybrid - Thursdays at 11 am.
- Church Street Library Shared Reading Group
- Colindale Shared Reading Group - RAF Museum Colindale
- Croydon Central Library Shared Reading Group
- Everybody Reads Book Shop - Shared Reading Group
- Fulham Good Neighbours Shared Reading Group
- Hanwell Community Library Shared Reading Group
- Hornsey Housing Trust - Palm Tree Court
- Jacksons Lane Shared Reading Group Thursdays 1.30 pm. For people 50+. Contact venue for details.
- John Lewis Brent Cross Shared Reading Group
- John Lewis Westfield Shared Reading Group (not Bank Holiday Mondays)
- Marcus Garvey Library Shared Reading Group Wednesday 2.30 pm
- Mill Hill Hybrid (Library & Online) Shared Reading Group - Thursdays at 2pm
- Mondays Shared Reading at Meridian Wellbeing
- New Horizons Shared Reading Group PLEASE BOOK AHEAD
- New Malden Library Shared Reading Thursday 11.30am (summer break until 10th September 2026)
- Northfields Community Library - Wednesday - 14:00
- Nourish Hub Shared Reading Group. Women Only.
- Read & Relax West London Group - 1st Wednesday of month at 10.15 am
- Reading Retreat at Alfriston Day Centre - Tuesday - 10.30 am
- Reading Retreat Shared Reading at Tolworth Library: Wednesday at 2.30pm
- Salvation Army Hendon Shared Reading Group
- Shared Reading at 'Library Hub' West Wickham & Shirley Baptist Church
- Shared Reading at Abyssinian Court. Entrance on Mayfield Road. Ring bell.
- Shared Reading at Askew Library Tuesday 11:00am -12:00pm
- Shared Reading at Catford Library, Mondays 2 pm
- Shared Reading at Coulsdon Library
- Shared Reading at Hornsey Library
- Shared Reading at Morden Library Fortnightly Wednesday 17:30pm CLICK LINK FOR NEXT DATES: libraries.merton.gov.uk/events/location/55
- Shared Reading at New Addington Library
- Shared Reading at Russell's Hub
- Shared Reading at the Old White Lion - 10.30 am (East Finchley) NEW MEMBERS please email support@thereader.org.uk to check availability
- Shared Reading at Wimbledon Guild - fortnightly Wednesday 1.30 pm
- Shared Reading Group-Kingston Library-Monday-11:00
- Shared Reading Group-St Peter's Church Notting Hill-Tuesday - 12.00 PM
- Shared Reading Group-Twickenham Library-Wednesday-14:00
- Shared Reading Group-Wimbledon Library-Tuesday-10:30
- Stephens House and Gardens
- Surbiton Library Shared Reading Group
- Sutton Library Shared Reading Monday 10.30am
- Upper Norwood Library Hub - Thursday - 10:30 -
- West Norwood Library - Read and Relax
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North West (82)
- Allerton Library Shared Reading Group Tuesday 10.30am - 12pm
- Birch Community Centre Shared Reading Group
- Birkdale Library Shared Reading Tuesdays at 1.30pm
- Birkenhead Central Library - Monday 2:15pm
- Bootle Library International (incl ESOL) Shared Reading group (3rd Thursday 11am - 1pm)
- Bootle Library Shared Reading Group
- Brighter Living Partnership Shared Reading sessions (fortnightly, Wednesdays 1:30pm - 3pm)
- Callister Gardens Oxton Shared Reading Group every Tuesday at 10am
- Crosby Library International (incl ESOL) Shared Reading group (1st Wednesday 2pm- 3:30pm)
- Crosby Library Shared Reading Group
- Every 3rd Monday of the month 10am -11am- Rainford Village Hall
- Formby Library - 'Loved and Lost' Grief and Healing Shared Reading Group - 23rd September, 21st October, 18th November 2-3.30pm, 16th December 11.30-1pm
- Formby Shared Reading, All Welcome - Fortnightly on Wednesdays
- Garston Bridge Chapel Shared Reading Group
- Halewood Library Shared Reading group every Tuesday 10.30am. Group
- Halton Lea Library (open community/ ESOL inclusive) Shared Reading group (Fridays, 2pm- 3:30pm)
- Halton Lea Library Dementia Friendly Shared Reading sessions (Fortnightly, Tuesdays 2pm - 3pm)
- Human Natures Shared Reading (in conjunction with the exhibition). Three Wednesdays. 10 June,11 August, 14 October. More details on Museum website.
- Kindfulness Cafe Shared Reading Group Tues 11am
- Kingsway Learning Centre ESOL Shared Reading group (Weekly, Fridays 10:30am - 11:30am)
- Kirkby Library Dementia friendly Shared Reading sessions, fortnightly, Tuesdays 2:30pm - 3:30pm
- Lache Library Shared Reading Group
- Life Rooms Southport Shared Reading Group
- Lister Steps Shared Reading Group every Wednesday at 2pm
- Liverpool Central Library Shared Reading for people living with dementia (Wednesdays, 1pm - 2:30pm)
- Maghull Library Shared Reading sessions (fortnightly, Thursdays, 11am-12pm)
- Manchester Museum Shared Reading Group. 19 May, 16 June, 14 July. More details on the Museum website.
- Moss Bank Library Dementia Friendly Shared Reading group - Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month
- Newton Le Willows Dementia Friendly Shared Reading 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month 10-11am
- Other Worlds (Sci-Fi Shared Reading)
- Poetry Walk
- Pride on the Page LGBTQIA+ Shared Reading at The Everyman Theatre (Thursdays 6-7pm) on summer break UNTIL 3RD SEPT 26
- Saughall Massie Parish Centre Shared Reading Tues 10:30
- Shakespeare North Shared Reading Group Friday 3:30pm - To book your space please visit https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/shared-reading-sessions/
- Shakespeare North Shared Reading Group Thursday 11.15am - To book your space please visit https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/shared-reading-sessions/
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- Shared Reading - Altrincham Library - 2nd, 3rd, 4th Tuesday of the month - next session 8 September
- Shared Reading at Big Little Library, Belle Vale Tuesdays at 10:30am to 12:00pm
- Shared Reading at Billinge Parish Council Hub
- Shared Reading at Bookstop. Fortnightly, 28 July
- Shared Reading at Huyton Library - PLEASE CONTACT SUPPORT@THEREADER.ORG.UK FOR AVAILABILITY
- Shared Reading at Leigh Library
- Shared Reading at Marsh Green Library
- Shared Reading at Nantwich Museum
- Shared Reading at Storyhouse (Mondays)
- Shared Reading at Thatto Heath Library
- Shared Reading at West Kirby Methodist Church
- Shared Reading Group - Liverpool Central Library Mondays, 2pm - 3:30pm
- Shared Reading Group - The Florrie - Friday - 1.30pm
- Shared Reading Group (English as an Additional Language) Toxteth Library Monday 11am
- Shared Reading Group at St Thomas The Martyr Community Hub All Welcome Tuesdays Fortnightly at 2pm
- Shared Reading sessions for under 30s
- Shared Reading: Dementia Friendly
- Shared Reading: Inside the Cabinet of Curiosities
- Shared Reading: Veteran Support
- St Anne's Catholic Church Shared Reading Group - Wednesdays at 10.30 am
- St Barnabas Shared Reading Group (Shared Reading takes place in St Barnabas' Vicarage)
- Storyhouse Shared Reading Group
- Swan Women's Centre Shared Reading Sessions (Women Only) Every Wednesday, 11:00am- 12:30pm)
- Thatto Heath Library Dementia Friendly Shared Reading sessions (Monthly, 3rd Thursday each month, 3:30pm- 4:30pm)
- The Atkinson/ Southport Library Shared Reading Group
- Toxteth Women's Centre ESOL (Women only) Shared Reading group (Wednesdays, 11:30am - 12:30pm resuming 16/09/2026)
- Wallasey Village Library & Community Centre - Wednesday 11:00am
- Wallasey Village Library and Community Centre Shared Reading sessions (Tuesdays, 1:30pm- 3pm)
- Waterstones Liverpool Shared Reading Group
- West Kirby Library Shared Reading Thursday 3.30pm PLEASE CONTACT SUPPORT@THEREADER.ORG.UK FOR AVAILABILITY
- Widnes Library Dementia Friendly Shared Reading sessions (Fortnightly, Wednesdays 2pm - 3pm)
- Widnes Library Shared Reading Group, Fridays 10:30am- 11:30am
- Wigan Library Shared Reading Group
- Wirral Mind Adult Shared Reading sessions (weekly, Mondays, 11am - 12:30pm)
- Northern Ireland (2)
- South East (4)
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South West (26)
- Bideford Library Shared Reading Group (Fornightly)
- Bishopston Library Shared Reading Group
- Cadbury Heath Shared Reading Group
- Henleaze Library Shared Reading for people living with dementia
- Henleaze Library Shared Reading Group
- Ivybridge Library Shared Reading for people living with dementia
- Littlemoor Library Shared Reading Tuesday 11-12.30
- Lyme Regis Library
- Minehead Library
- Patchway Library Shared Reading Group
- Portland Library Shared Reading
- Redland Library Shared Reading Group
- Royal Wootton Bassett Shared Reading Group - Thursdays at 11 am
- Shared Reading at Barnstaple Library (Women only)
- Shared Reading at Bedminster Library, Fortnightly. 23 July, (not August), restart 3 Sept.
- Shared Reading at Clevedon Library (1st and 3rd Monday)
- Shared Reading at Monica Wills House. On foot: enter via Airpoint, up from Tesco Express, West Street.
- Shared Reading at Persephone Books monthly 2nd & 4th Thursday 10.30 BOOK BY EMAILING INFO@PERSEPHONEBOOKS.CO.UK
- Shared Reading Group - Boscombe Library - Monday - 11:00 AM
- Shared Reading Group Yeovil Library Monday 11.30
- Shared Reading in Barton Hill. Little Library. Monthly. 2nd Tues.
- Shepton Mallet Library Group Friday 11am
- St Annes House Shared Reading Group
- St Pauls Library Bristol Shared Reading Group
- Staple Hill Library Shared Reading
- Wincanton Fortnightly Feel Better with a Book
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Wales (10)
- Abergavenny Library Shared Reading Group - Fortnightly
- Chepstow Community Library and Hub Shared Reading
- Colwyn Bay Library Shared Reading (fortnightly)
- Llandudno Library Shared Reading Group
- Llanrwst Library Shared Reading Group (fortnightly)
- Prestatyn Shared Reading Group
- Shared Reading at Abergele Library (fortnightly)
- Shared Reading at Barry Library
- Shared Reading at Conwy Library (fortnightly)
- Wrexham Library Shared Reading Group
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West Midlands (8)
- Mere Green Library Shared Reading Group
- Oswestry Library Shared Reading Group
- Perry Common Library Book Break
- Read Aloud Ledbury Library Friday 11:30 - 12:45
- Shared Reading at Kings Heath Library Monday 11am (summer break until September 2026)
- Shared Reading Group Castle House Hereford Tuesday 14.00 TERM TIME ONLY
- Shared Reading Tasters at The Poetry Pharmacy (19th September, 3rd, 17th October 2026)
- St James Church Hall, Dudley - A Book and a Cuppa
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Yorkshire and the Humber (13)
- Broomhill Library Shared Reading Group
- Danum Gallery, Library & Museum Shared Reading Group - Tuesday 11.00
- Edlington Library Shared Reading Group
- Mexborough Library Shared Reading Group from 2 December
- Rawmarsh Library Shared Reading Group
- Read and Rewind at Denaby Old Library (1st and 3rd Weds - 1pm)
- Read and Rewind at Woodlands Library (2nd and 4th Weds - 2pm)
- Riverside House Shared Reading Group
- Shared Reading at Flintwood Church. 2nd Weds of the month. Next session 13 May.
- Shared Reading at Souperclub
- Shared Reading at The Cadeby
- Shared Reading Group (Last Weds of Month)
- Sprotbrough Library Shared Reading Group.
FAQ: Will I be asked to speak or read out loud?
Some people prefer to just listen, and we are happy to have everybody there. You will never feel pressured to talk or read. We always make sure that everybody has the opportunity to talk and share their thoughts, or to read aloud if they would like, however there’s no obligation or expectation to do so.
FAQ: Do I need to bring anything with me?
Just bring yourself! At Shared Reading groups, you do not need to read anything in advance or know anything at all about the text we are reading or the person who wrote it. The group’s Reader Leader will bring copies of the stories and poems with them, and we will read them together at the group.
FAQ: I haven't read for ages, does that matter?
Not at all. Whether you’re an avid reader or have not picked up a book since school, you are extremely welcome. We meet lots of people who discover a new love for reading after attending Shared Reading, as well those who really enjoy coming to the group but never read outside of that.
