Shared Reading
We bring people and beautiful liturature together.
Shared Reading is an activity of Stichting Yourright Foundation.
Shared Reading
Through the innovative Shared Reading model, we bring people together in groups to listen to poems and stories read aloud. Thoughts and experiences are shared; personal and social connections are made.
There is no pressure for anyone to read or even speak because simply listening to the literature and the other group members can be a powerful stimulant.
Want to know more about the facilitators?
Background
Shared Reading is developed by The Reader, an award-winning charitable social enterprise working to connect people with great literature through shared reading. They bring books to life, creating welcoming environments in which personal feeling is recognised and valued, forming vital connections between people and literature through which everyone can feel more alive.
“you need it, you just don’t know you need it.”
“The central power of the shared reading model means that we can help individuals to make changes to how they feel about themselves and how they relate to other people.
Education and young people
Our aim
Allow children and young people to have fun in reading. We therefore entirely focus on reading for pleasure.Improving language development in a child’s early years is key for ensuring that children have better chances in school and success in later life, including higher education and economic prospects.
How do we work?
Using experience, patience and enthusiasm, we’ll find the right books to connect with young people in primary and secondary schools and in the community.
By sharing stories in an informal and engaging way, our work is improving reading abilities, building bonds, confidence and self-esteem, encouraging future generations to develop a life-long love of reading.
For child and parent
We also offer the possibility for a Shared Reading session with parents. This activity is aiming at building trust in sharing stories.
Health and wellbeing
Our aim
We want to bring people, who feel excluded, into a wider cultural conversation to discuss what they experience in a Shared Reading group. One in four adults will have a mental health problem within one year. Engaging with serious literature builds members’ confidence and self-esteem.
How do we work?
Reflecting on texts can be a safe way of looking at psychological issues and gaining insight into oneself. Through Shared Reading groups we can build a social networks that can provide support for these issues.
Outcomes (results The Reader)
Cultural change in institutions after introduction Shared Reading:
- 74% of participants say it has improved their mood;
- 81% is more able to relax;
- 72% is able to think about things in a different way;
- 70% feel their group has helped them to understand people better.
Library and Community
Our aim
Encourage people to enjoy reading and discover how it benefits their well-being. Shared Reading offers a enjoyable, welcoming and meaningful activity within the community. It often inspires people to take part in other local activities.
How do we work?
Combining people with different backgrounds in a accessable way will combate people’s isolation. We will introduce literature and poems to people in a different way. By learning from each other we develop new skills which increase employability.
Outcomes (results The Reader)
Since joining a Shared Reading group:
- 69% of members use their library more regularly;
- 76% feel more positive about life;
- 81% enjoy the opportunity to develop relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds;
- 84% are more likely to share books with friends and family members (including children and grandchildren);
- 92% get greater pleasure from books and poems.
Older people and dementia
Our aim
For older people and those living with dementia, shared reading groups improve quality of life through cognitive stimulation, social interaction and meaningful engagement each week.
How do we work?
We ensure that Shared Reading is accessible to anyone irrespective of age or health. We use Shared Reading, among other things, as a non-medical intervention for people with a diagnosis of dementia. Shared Reading improves the mood, concentration and benefits on an improved memory of the participants.
Outcomes (results The Reader):
Evaluation of Shared Reading groups shows:
- 86% has improved mood;
- 87% shows an improved concentration;
- 73% is experiencing increased social interaction;
- 86% have less agitation.
Workplace wellbeing
Our aim
You encourage your employees to adopt and maintain a healthier lifestyles. Investing in workplace wellness brings real business benefit. Mental Health related illness is the leading cause of sickness absence with a lot of days lost due to stress, depression and anxiety. Shared Reading helps you to lower these costs.
How do we work?
We bring people together in small groups, a story or poem is read aloud and we, as trained Facilitators, facilitate discussion. Shared Reading connects employees through literature. Through this simple approach participants report real personal and professional benefits.
Outcomes (results The Reader);
Employees participating in Shared Reading experience:
- Improvement of their well-being;
- Decreasing stress;
- Improving confidence and job satisfaction;
- Deeper connections between colleagues;
- Building stronger, more resilient workplaces.
Criminal Justice
Our aim
The chance of (ex-)offenders becoming a recidivist is present. We want to create the opportunity for offenders and ex-offenders to transform their attitudes, thinking and behaviour. Shared Reading groups can contribute to long term, sustainable changes to prison reform, offender rehabilitation and offender prevention.
How do we work?
We are challenged to “transform the offender into the citizen”. We offer valued structure and meaningful activity in a safe, comfortable environment. Self-reflection and interaction improve the health and well-being of the participants. Reading a wide range of literature increases personal confidence. Through this all they will experiencing a greater social engagement and a stronger sense of community.
Outcomes (results The Reader)
Evaluation of the Shared Reading Groups shows:
- 61% feel more positive about life;
- 67% feel more understanding towards each other;
- 69% feel more confident about resettling in the community;
- 89% feel they have the opportunity to express themselves with confidence in a group.
Contact
Please call us for more information or fill in the contactform.
Nicole Schuijer
tel : +31 6 19627950
Branko Driessen
tel : +31 6 12970504
