Great discussions at our volunteer Reading Champions in early May. Today the selected Reading Champions  meet representatives from the organisations we’re working with this year.

Volunteer Day May 2012

 

Volunteer Reading Champions Needed

June – October 2012 * Recruitment day will take place on May 2nd 2012

• Are you passionate about books and reading?

• Would you like to help make a difference to people’s lives through reading and sharing books? And at the same time learn new skills and develop your own talents?

• Would you like to get more involved in City Reads 2012’s exciting reader development work?

We are looking for 8 – 12 volunteer Reading Champions to help run 6 community reading groups between June – October 2012 on our Read to Recovery project in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. You will be working with people who have mental health issues and may have problems with literacy or poor access to books and will be supported in your role by our experienced Reading Champions and the City Reads team.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY

City Reads Seeks Project Assistant

CITY READS PROJECT ASSISTANT
SHORT TERM FREELANCE CONTRACT
Terms:
Fee: £80 per day (plus free tickets to selected City Reads events)
Hours: Variable (approximately 10 -15 days work in total)
Period of employment: May – November 2012
DEADLINE: 6pm Thursday 3^rd May 2012

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

 

 

Coldean Read Aloud group

A great group at Coldean’s New Larchwood centre for the penultimate session with the Read Aloud project, wonderfully facilitated by our two Reading Champions Rosanna Lowe and Janet Holm who really embodied the book to an audience of 9 older people who have followed the book to its conclusion.

Andrea Levy thoughts about Brighton and The Long Song

1. We delighted you are taking part in this year’s project. What is your reaction to being the City Reads author in 2011?

As a novelist the best thing that can happen is to know that your work is out there being read, and hopefully thought and talked about. Brighton City Reads makes all of those things happen. I’m really excited and very honoured to be the chosen author for 2011.

2. You mentioned on Desert Island Discs that you first read a novel aged 23. How would you encourage children to get into reading?

I believe that if literature is a healthy part of our adult culture, then children will want to get into reading. So the most important thing is to make books, in whatever form, easily accessible. Parents, schools, and of course good local libraries, all have a crucial role to play in this.

3. What do you think of  Brighton?

Family legend has it that I took my first steps as a toddler on Brighton promenade. And I visit a lot as I have good friends that live in the city. It’s a vibrant place with a unique atmosphere .

4. How do you feel about meeting your readers and discussing your work?

I always get nervous at the thought, but talking with readers has always been very rewarding and stimulating for me. I’m the sort of writer who always wants to reach as wide an audience as possible. Brighton City Reads helps me to do that and I’m really looking forward to coming.

5. What book/author would you choose for City Reads 2012?

I honestly don’t know. I’m going to duck that one and leave it for the people of Brighton to decide.

Hove Library Read Group

Visiting the small but perfectly formed Read Aloud group at Hove Library was a great way to see how the group was progressing. It was an enjoyable drop in and the group participated with gusto. See below for the pics!

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Read Aloud feedback

‘I was with the [Read Aloud] group (at Jubilee Library) for part of the Friday before last and I have to say what an enjoyable experience it was. The group had a lovely atmosphere and a lot of energy and enthusiasm for being involved which was quite infectious. I am really pleased to hear talk of the potential for the group to carry on after The Long Song and would be very keen to see this happen. I would be pleased to discuss ideas you may have how you think this might work and how we could work in partnership to try to continue. I think it is great that we are still getting new members joining’ Lucy Castle, Reading & Learning Manager (Brighton & Hove Libraries Services)

Read Aloud groups have wonderful potential as a cost-effective form of self-help therapy that can promote the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. There is evidence that creative reading reduces stress levels and that social reading activity helps people relax, combats loneliness and offers therapeutic benefits. It would be a huge benefit to work together with the Collected Works organisation who already have experience and a great track record in this activity. Jackie Manners, Principal Librarian – Community (West Sussex Library Services)