Book Club

Reading a book was a good way to ease the boredom of lockdown so the group was established.

Benefit of reading

Reading has been linked to a wide range of benefits and has been shown to have a positive effect on health and wellbeing, intellectual, personal and social outcomes. Reading for pleasure is associated with a greater sense of community and social inclusion, as well as having positive effects on mental wellbeing. For adults, it can lead to improved confidence and social skills and it improves educational attainment for children. Shared reading groups can improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

Location

Various addresses in Withington and Old Moat

Project team

List project team and partners involved.

SIMPLE BOOKS

Local residents

Buzz Neighbourhood Health Worker

Aim

The aim was to get people connected.

The purpose and background was to ease the loneliness and to get people talking about the books and friendships could be made.

Testimonial:

"Hello Sadie, I was delighted when I received the book Blind Side. I hadn't read any of Paterson's books for over two years. The book was a real page turner! I have been in lockdown since March 23rd. So to be able to read a new novel, especially by Patterson relieved the boredom. Myself and other tenants at Sycamore were pleased to hear about the book scheme that is running and have added their names and choice of book to the list. Many of those tenants have been in lockdown since 23rd March also. As our lounge has been closed since that date we have missed many of the activities you helped to fund. Hope to see you soon."

Evaluation

The project is going very well with many more people who are exchanging and reading more.

It is hope that after lockdown people will meet as a book club group.

Engagement of inclusion, age friendly, staying connected and learning.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Social inclusion More engaged in community	Manchester Population Health Plan NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Reduces health inequalities (as a result of improved literacy)	Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010)
Increased educational attainment	Our Manchester Strategy