As a social enterprise, The Bookery actively seeks to help people within our community. Many of our projects focus on health and wellbeing including reading to residents in care homes and dementia cafes, promoting national campaigns about books on health, community engagement activities and supporting individuals through employment and volunteering activities.

Loneliness is seen by many as one of the largest health concerns we face and evidence suggests loneliness is one of the feelings millions have experienced during the coronavirus pandemic. The scale of this challenge has been recognised by the Government who are now following a strategy led by Diana Barran, Minister for Loneliness. At a national level the Reading Agency deliver two programmes: ‘Reading Well’ and ‘Reading Friends’ which both aim to help people’s wellbeing including loneliness.

Working in partnership with Age Concern Crediton, we developed an idea to support people in our community by introducing them to volunteers with whom they could share a conversation over a book. By carefully matching people with a shared interest in reading we hoped to create opportunities for connection, companionship and stimulating conversation.

The Bookery provides volunteers and matches them with readers, helps with suggestions for titles, book supply, training, expenses and ongoing volunteer support; Age Concern refer clients, and support the project with advice, training and development.

We started the scheme last December and have been delighted with it’s success. Readers and volunteers have reported an enthusiasm for discovering new books, sharing old favourites and the important contribution the project has made to their sense of connection and wellbeing. In the beginning we planned to introduce readers and volunteers to each other in person but lock-down measures and Covid guidance meant initial contact was by phone. More recently it has been possible for the participants to meet face-to-face.

Alison, a project volunteer since January, said:

“I’ve developed a real friendship with my reader; not only do we share thoughts about the books we read, but often the books trigger conversations about the different aspects of our lives and we’ve discovered we have a lot in common.”

The success of this small scale trial has provided a foundation to expand and develop this project. If you are interested in volunteering with this activity or in getting involved with our community work we’d love to hear from you.