Shared Reading is a community programme delivered by Derby Book Festival. Our Shared Reading groups aim to improve wellbeing and alleviate feelings of isolation through a warm welcome and friendly conversation.

Coming together to listen, talk and connect.

Our free, friendly groups meet up regularly to listen to all sorts of writing - stories, poems, letters or quotations - and share conversation. You're welcome to read aloud or to simply listen. Everyone is welcome!

What happens at a Shared Reading session? All kinds of material is shared: poems, short plays, comedy sketches, song lyrics, diary entries, letters and short stories - anything goes. These friendly and inclusive sessions are guided by trained volunteers. People only read out loud and chat if they want to. Lots of people join our Shared Reading sessions just to listen. Everyone is welcome.

How is the reading material chosen? Volunteers and participants choose the reading material to share at the sessions.

Who would benefit from Shared Reading? Anyone can benefit from our friendly and inclusive Shared Reading sessions, including people who enjoy reading, anyone looking for new groups to join or to make new friends. 

See below for details of our free, regular Shared Reading groups in Derby. Everyone is welcome. No need to book.

Artcore café 8 Albert St, Osnabruck Sq., Derby, DE1 2DS

Weekly: Every Thursday 11.30am -12.30pm

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Riverside Library Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS

Monthly: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am (2nd Wednesday of each month)

• 14th August
• 11th September
• 9th October
• 13th November
• 11th December

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Mickleover Library Holly End Rd, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 0EA

Fortnightly: Tuesdays 2-3pm  unless*  which runs 12:45-1:45pm

Send an email to shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk so we can secure your place at Mickleover library.  The next sessions are:

• 1st October
• 15th October
• 29th October
• 5th November
• 19th November
• 3rd December

Alvaston Library 1252 London Road, Derby, DE24 8QP

Fortnightly: Thursdays 10.30 - 11.30am

• 22nd August
• 5th September
• 19th September
• 3rd October
• 17th October
• 31st October

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

Online Shared Reading group

Weekly: Tuesdays 2-3pm

Email shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk for the Zoom link to join these sessions.

Want to know more? Email us at: shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk

Free Shared Reading events around Derby:

Earn a Blue Peter Book Badge with Shared Reading and Derby Libraries!
This half-term, children aged 5-7 have the opportunity to earn their very
own Blue Peter Book badge through a series of special Shared Reading sessions hosted at 3 Derby libraries!

 Led by our wonderful trained volunteers, the sessions will feature lively performances of poems from ‘Poems Aloud’ by Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho. We’ll also help children start their application for their very own Blue Peter badge.

Free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book ahead! Contact the library directly by phone or email to reserve your spot:

Mickleover Library:  29th October 1-2pm
mickleover.library@derby.gov.uk | 01332 647884

Riverside Library:  1st November, 1-2pm

riverside.library@derby.gov.uk | 01332 641702

Normanton Library:  31st October, 2-3pm

normanton.library@derby.gov.uk | 01332 642640

We can’t wait to see you there for a fun-filled session of reading, creativity, and Blue Peter!

Our Values:

Accessible - we aim to ensure our SR groups are accessible to the whole community and celebrate diversity

Enriching - we aim for our SR groups to encourage conversation and discussions

Inclusive - we celebrate our diverse communities, and ensure our SR groups are suitable for individual needs

Inspiring - we hope our SR groups inspire generations of readers through discussions and conversations

Why not drop into one of our Shared Reading open sessions at a library or community hub near you?  No need to book – everyone is very welcome. See the list above for details.  

Want to know more? Email: shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk