Read, Talk, Share: The UK charity putting books at the heart of its new mental health campaign

The Reading Agency are promoting the benefits of reading as part of their new campaign: Read, Talk, Share.
The Reading Agency
Sophie Rainbow8 February 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, but for many, reading has proved an invaluable source of comfort amidst the chaos. 

National charity The Reading Agency are now hoping to promote the benefits of reading as part of their new campaign: Read, Talk, Share.

Enabled by a £3.5 million award by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the initiative is aimed at combatting loneliness and promoting wellbeing through bibliotherapy, working closely with local libraries to reach struggling communities.

It builds on two existing campaigns by The Reading Agency: Reading Well and Reading Friends. Reading Well provides vital book lists for those struggling with mental health conditions, and makes these titles accessible by working closely with every library service across England. 

Reading Friends promotes the benefits of joint reading as a way of combatting social isolation. Libraries will be provided with the funding and training necessary to reach audiences of all ages, in activities from group video meetings to one-on-one phone calls. 

The Reading Agency

Karen Napier, CEO of The Reading Agency, highlighted the vital role of libraries in the charity’s ongoing outreach. “Our mission remains to help people tackle life’s challenges through the proven power of reading: to bring people together, ease our burdens, and foster wellbeing and understanding.

"We are immensely grateful to DCMS for their support - this feels like a real vote of continued confidence in the role of public libraries and their important contribution to society.”

The Reading Agency

Ministers have also offered their support, with Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Libraries, echoing Napier's view: “Libraries are often the heart and soul of local communities and a real lifeline to so many people who may feel lonely or isolated. With another tough few months ahead of us, I am thrilled that the funding we have allocated will help The Reading Agency continue to deliver its invaluable work."

The Reading Agency

Baroness Barran, Minister for Loneliness, pointed to the importance of prioritising mental health over the coming months. “The start of this year continues to be as difficult as the last for the whole nation, with many people not being able to see the people who mean the most to them.

"Tackling loneliness remains a priority for the government and I’m thrilled to see how The Reading Agency have adapted to this new world we’re living in, doing incredible work in their local communities to ensure no one feels isolated.”

To find out more about Read, Talk, Share, follow the latest developments on social media @ReadingAgency, or use the hashtags #ReadTalkShare #LetsTalkLoneliness

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