Hear what our volunteers have to say about their Shared Reading experiences
Ellie's volunteering story
Ellie, a volunteer with Shared Reading for more than three years, shares her story.
Tell us a little about yourself
I qualified as a mental health worker and worked for over 10 years with people being discharged from mental health hospitals, helping with their rehabilitation and supporting them as they stepped back into society.
Why did you volunteer on our Shared Reading project?
I came across the project at a 'taster session' held in the City Centre and, ten minutes in, I knew I had a lot to offer this project as a volunteer and it had a lot to offer me as well.
I know from my experience the huge impact that programmes such as Shared Reading have on people, to help uplift their mood, tackle loneliness and help them achieve a better life.
What impact did volunteering have on you?
Volunteering with Shared Reading has been a very positive experience for me. Reading aloud, and being read to, is used as a way to improve wellbeing. I am motivated through seeing the benefits that Shared Reading brings to group participants, and how it contributes to positive mental health.
I volunteer at three Shared Reading groups: Artcore, Kingsway Mental Health Unit and a general drop-in group at Riverside library. Each group is unique with very different needs. Each has improving wellness and mental health at its core with poems and other writings
shared amongst the group to help build that sense of belonging and participation.
We usually agree on a 'theme' for each Shared Reading session and I'll research the topic - exploring authors, poets and stories from around the world. I love this and it has expanded my passion for the written and spoken word. They can - and do - change people's lives. Often we'll add in our own stories, poems or quotations. It's so uplifting when participants do this.
What impact do you think SR had on the group?
I know that attending our Shared Reading groups makes a positive difference in people's lives. How do I know? Because participants keep telling me. For example, recently one participant said that she felt 'terrible' the morning of her Shared Reading group and wasn't going to attend. She did attend and it helped her feel much better and ready for other challenges of the day. That for me is joyous!
Over time, their confidence builds and many share poems, plays, quotations that either they have created or resonate with them. It's led to some incredible group conversations in a safe, welcoming and trusted environment. It's wonderful to see people grow in confidence over time - even those who remain silent.
"Shared Reading has a real sense of purpose for me!"
Research shows the huge impact Shared Reading has on improving the mental health of participants as well as introducing them to new, diverse and exciting literature.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of volunteering?
There is plenty of support for Volunteers. So many highlights! I leave every session with a feeling of fulfilment. Shared reading means so much to group participants ... and to me!
We’re looking for volunteers to join us and help run Shared Reading sessions throughout Derby.
Email us at shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk for a chat about opportunities. There are plenty of ways to get involved to fit in with the time you have available. We provide training and lots of support.
'It's powerful stuff - this reading thing!'
David’s volunteering story
David volunteers with us on our Shared Reading programme at Derby College with young people aged 16-18 years attending a LEXIS* course.
Tell us a little about yourself
My career was initially in banking and finance and then I started to work with teenagers developing enterprise and work-related skills. I’m now retired and have continued to have a particular interest in helping young people.
Why did you volunteer on our Shared Reading project?
I’ve always volunteered and was looking for a new area where my skills and interests would work together. I’m a supporter of Derby Book Festival, so the Shared Reading programme seemed to offer a good opportunity for me. I volunteer with two other Shared Reading volunteers and we run sessions every week for an hour with young people during term time at the Roundhouse in Derby.
What impact did volunteering have on you?
As a volunteer, you really feel valued and needed by both the students and the tutors at Derby College. Volunteers receive such a warm welcome. You really feel the work you do makes a difference – that’s not always the case with other volunteer opportunities. There’s a mix of male and female students, so it’s good to have that reflected with the volunteers too.
Each Shared Reading session has a different theme, and we source reading material for the students working with the tutors from Derby College. We work in small groups with the students reading aloud and then we chat about what they have read. The enthusiasm of the students to take part in Shared Reading has had an enormous impact on me. They desperately want to learn English so our work helps them become more confident in English conversation. Working with the same group of young people over an academic year means we can build trusted relationships. I’ve learnt so much from the students – about where they have come from and their culture – it’s definitely a 2-way relationship, a shared experience, definitely not a teacher/student relationship. It’s so rewarding to work with students that want to learn – they are very engaged.
What impact do you think Shared Reading has had on the group?
The feedback from tutors and students has been incredibly positive and gives me confidence that we have made a difference in the lives of these young people. There are eight LEXIS groups at Derby College – we work with one of these groups. The LEXIS tutor says that the confidence of the students has increased and they have performed better at their end-of-year exams than students in the other groups – so we know that Shared Reading has helped.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of volunteering?
If you like working with young people, this is an excellent volunteering opportunity. There are so many young people at Derby College who want to join the Shared Reading sessions, but can’t as there are not enough volunteers. Shared Reading really makes an impact that can change a young person’s life. I’ve just signed up for another year’s volunteering with LEXIS students up to May 2024.
If you want to help enthusiastic and engaged students, then I’d encourage you to join as a volunteer on the Shared Reading programme.
If you’re thinking of volunteering and would like to talk about opportunities then please get in touch with us at shared.reading@derbybookfestival.co.uk .
*LEXIS: This programme is for 16-19-year-old students whose first language is not English. It helps students learn English and gain qualifications so they can progress further in education or employment.