Read, Talk, Share – our new campaign tackling loneliness and supporting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Reading Agency is proud to announce Read, Talk, Share, an initiative to combat loneliness and promote wellbeing through the proven power of reading during the COVID-19 pandemic this winter.

Read, Talk, Share will expand our Reading Well and Reading Friends programmes, enabled by a £3.5 million award by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

2020 has demonstrated that our work is needed more than ever, with the charity’s work to tackle loneliness and support mental health and wellbeing being identified by the Government as a key aspect of the nation’s Covid recovery.

What does this mean for Reading Well?

The DCMS funding means that we can support the important work of every public library in England.

As part of the Read, Talk, Share campaign, books from the Reading Well mental health schemes for children, young people, and adults will be available in every library in England.

The Reading Agency is also partnering with publishers and e-lending partners to offer copies in e-book and e-audio format, to ensure this opportunity is available to as many people as possible.

The Reading Well booklists

The 3 booklists being rolled out as part of Read, Talk, Share support mental health and wellbeing across all age groups. The books are chosen by health experts and people living with mental health conditions as well as with the help of children and families for the children’s booklist.

Reading Well for children
Reading Well for young people’s mental health
Reading Well for mental health

Read, Talk, Share launches on Wednesday 3rd February 2021

Find out more about the campaign, including how to access Reading Well and Reading Friends, on the Reading Agency’s website.

#ReadTalkShare #ProvenPowerOfReading #LetsTalkLoneliness