A new shared reading group has launched at Spellow Library Hub

The Reader has launched a new weekly shared reading group, which is a free and enjoyable activity where people can connect and share experiences using stories and poems.

The Walton group will run every week on Mondays from 4pm – 5pm.

It is led by a volunteer who has trained as a ‘Reader Leader’ with national charity The Reader based at The Mansion House in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park.

Nichola Ditchfield, Spellow Library Hub Manager, said:

“Reading a novel, short story or poem aloud in a group can open up discussions and reflection, fostering a love of reading and flourish imagination.

“I feel these sessions in Spellow Library will benefit the community in many ways including helping to reduce loneliness, increase social connections, relaxation and wellbeing, as well as and understanding. People who come along will be able to share experiences, thoughts, ideas, and memories.

“More importantly reading is a fun and enjoyable activity to be part of and brings a sense of community together which we are hoping to achieve. These groups are open to everyone, regardless of background or literacy levels it is free to attend.”

Anyone interested in joining is invited to drop into the library – located at 125 County Road, Walton, Liverpool L4 3QF.

The group offers a welcoming, inclusive and non-judgmental space where people can connect and share experiences using stories and poems. There is no pressure to talk or read aloud.

It was originally due to start in 2024 after Spellow Library reopened last March but was put on hold following damage caused by devastating riots which swept across the city and UK last summer triggered by events in Southport.

The newly revamped community hub was left severely damaged and parts of the building were badly scorched. A GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/f/books-for-spellow-lane, set up to support the rebuilding of the library, has so far raised more than £250,000 and even Queen Camilla has donated books.

Donations flooded in from people across the UK and the world including from Nigella Lawson and Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, a patron of The Reader, who attended the reopening of the library in December 2024.

Nichola added: “Spellow Library will always be a supportive and friendly environment. We offer many services for all walks of life.”

Community services and family-friendly activities include training and skills courses, enterprise business services, Liverpool in work, Smoke-free One Stop Shop, Song and Rhyme sessions for under 5s, Song and dance using BSL signing for under 5’s, welfare rights, councillor’s surgeries, smart classrooms, flexible learning space, public PC’s, hublets, projector, Wi-Fi and smart board.

Liverpool-based national charity The Reader, located in the Grade II listed Mansion House at Calderstones Park, runs around 490 Shared Reading groups across Liverpool City Region and the rest of the UK, including 112 in libraries.

Shared Reading has been shown to improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness and help people find new meaning in their lives, according to the charity’s research and annual feedback from group members and volunteers.

The charity also works with children, families, adults in community spaces, people in dementia care homes, people with physical and mental health conditions, those coping with or recovering from addiction and people in the criminal justice system.

Find out more information on Liverpool’s Libraries, including Spellow Library here. Find out more about Shared Reading in Communities here or if you think your organisation or community would benefit from Shared Reading, visit The Reader website here.

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