Latest free Shared Reading events around Derby

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)

• 13th September
• 11th October
• 8th November
• 13th December

No booking necessary – just pop along and join in.

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

Fortnightly: Tuesdays 2-3pm

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

• 29th August
• 12th September (12.45-1.45pm)
• 26th September
• 10th October (12.45-1.45pm)
• 24th October
• 7th November
• 21st November
• 5th December
• 19th December

Unsure if Shared Reading is for you? Join us at one of our ‘taster’ sessions at Alvaston

Alvaston Library 1252 London Road Derby DE24 8QP

Two sessions on 3rd October at:

• 10.30am
• 11.15am

Then every two weeks on Thursdays at 10.30 - 11.30am from:

• 12th October
• 26th October
• 9th November
• 23rd November
• 7th December
• 21st December

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

What is Shared Reading? People meet up, read, listen and chat about great stories and poems. It’s an experience that helps 1000s of people around the UK feel good and live well.

Reading together has a unique power to connect us, help us feel better and be more able to cope with life’s challenges.

Who can benefit from Shared Reading? Many people say Shared Reading has a positive impact on their happiness and wellbeing, reducing social isolation and building self-confidence.

What happens at a Shared Reading session? All kinds of literature is shared; poems, short plays, comedy sketches, song lyrics, diary entries, letters and short stories. The sessions are friendly & open and 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? Materials for the sessions are chosen by people joining the sessions and by volunteers. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore new exciting literature.

Who would benefit from Shared Reading? Anyone can benefit, but particularly people looking for new groups to join, want an introduction to different types of literature, or just want to make new friends. Many social prescribers are recommending Shared Reading as part of their holistic therapy programmes.

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 list above.  

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