International Shared Reading

How Shared Reading works

• Weekly: offering sometimes much needed structure.
• Group based: bringing people together, building a community and belonging.
• Inclusive: everything is read aloud, no prior reading or literacy skills required.
• Safe: these are groups that move at the members’ pace.
• Stimulating: we use humanly meaningful writing, explored in relaxed environments to open new thoughts and feelings, developing confidence and connection.

Research from the University of Liverpool, spanning over a decade, demonstrates the impact of Shared Reading on both physical and mental health:

• An alternative activity, follow-up or adjunct to CBT for those with mental health issues.
• A significant improvement in Quality of Life for those with dementia.
• Help in the alleviation of symptoms for those with chronic pain.
• Higher levels of wellbeing, hope, agency and self-efficacy, and interpersonal trust in prison residents in Psychologically Informed Planned Environments

International Shared Reading Conference 2024

10th October 9am- 5.30pm

This event is for anyone who is interested in our work. Whether you’re completely new to Shared Reading or an experienced Reader Leader already, our doors are open, and the welcome is warm!  

Meet with other readers interested in the benefits of reading and wellbeing as well as meeting those already delivering Shared Reading in their own countries in a variety of settings. There’s something for everyone, from sharing best practice to getting to know more about The Reader, our work and research, and how we can all work together more. 

Our home is located in Liverpool’s beautiful and historic Calderstones Park. There’ll be opportunity to explore the Mansion House and the Storybarn – our dedicated playspace for children – and choose an area of our work you would like to find more about (children and young people, mental health and criminal justice and those living with dementia). 

There will also be plenty of Shared Reading, refreshments and the opportunity to meet our Director of Literature, Katie Clark, Dr Grace Frame, Dr Esther Harsh and Dirk Terryn from Het Lezerscollectief. 

Start your Read to Lead journey in your country

Read to Lead is The Reader’s flagship training course and has been successfully delivered across the world since 2008. You will learn about the power of Shared Reading and complete the course fully equipped with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and resources that you need to be able to successfully deliver your own Shared Reading groups with confidence and impact. A powerful tool for personal reflection as well as improving wellbeing, Read to Lead will not only enrich your own experience and practice of what it means to be a reader in the fullest sense of the word but will also provide you with innovative, transferable leadership and facilitation skills.

With its in-depth programme of training and support, The Reader will work with the partner organisation to engage the nominated members of their staff to participate in our Read to Lead and/or Train the Trainer programmes and further connect to The Reader’s ethos-driven, high-quality Shared Reading practice. Our partnership will provide the partner organisation an opportunity to become a recognised International Partner of The Reader. The partner package costs and options for training are provided on request.

Read to Lead begins with a series of invigorating and thought-provoking learning modules, delivered digitally over six-half days and offered all year round. During the training, participants will:

• Experience Shared Reading first-hand, developing an understanding of how it can bring about positive changes in people’s lives.
• Learn about the unique approach which underpins Shared Reading through supported practice and bespoke one-to-one feedback from experienced practitioners.
• Develop the facilitation and communication skills essential for Shared Reading delivery.
• Develop confidence in choosing great literature for maximum impact.

After completing Read to Lead training, participants will be part of The Reader’s community and ready to start their own groups whilst continuing to learn from fellow Reader Leaders through The Reader’s on going membership programme.

Your Partnership Package

The per candidate cost for training as Reader Leader on our online Read to Lead course offer is £1,070. This offer includes:

• Access to the Online Community Hub, offering a curated suite of teaching and learning videos about Shared Reading, hints and tips on all aspects of Shared Reading development, a communication forum, quality learning resources and materials and the opportunity to connect with The Reader’s wider network.
• Unlimited access to our rich programme of learning and support workshops.
• Access to our support line for one-to-one advice and support.
• Access to our online Five Essentials course.
• Access to The Reader’s International Stakeholder’s Meeting; a networking event which takes place quarterly to bring our international partners together for advice, guidance and collaboration.
• The Reader quality certificate (renewable annually as part of membership).
• Use of The Reader logo and status as an officially approved trainer of The Reader’s Read to Lead course.

There is an additional cost for ongoing membership, beyond the first year, options can be discussed at point of renewal. The partner will be responsible for copyright in their country. For more details, please see The Reader’s copyright policy document.

Our partnership package also includes:

• Access to the Online Community Hub, offering a curated suite of teaching and learning videos about Shared Reading, hints and tips on all aspects of Shared Reading development, a communication forum, quality learning resources and materials and the opportunity to connect with The Reader’s wider network.
• Unlimited access to our rich programme of learning and support workshops.
• Access to our support line for one-to-one advice and support.
• Access to our online Five Essentials course.
• Access to The Reader’s International Stakeholder’s Meeting; a networking event which takes place quarterly to bring our international partners together for advice, guidance and collaboration.
• The Reader quality certificate (renewable annually as part of membership).
• Use of The Reader logo and status as an officially approved trainer of The Reader’s Read to Lead course.