Reading Facilitators standing with Ann Cleeves. They are holding up letters that spell out the word Stories.

Reading for Health and Wellbeing

12 Sep 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

A project funded by Ann Cleeves, best-selling author of the well-loved TV drama Vera.

Back in the summer of 2021, Ann Cleeves launched her Reading for Wellbeing project across 9 local authorities in the North East. The aim of the project is to see how reading can improve the health and wellbeing of people with chronic pain, anxiety and depression and of those who may be socially isolated.

Northumberland Library Service and Northumberland County Council teamed up with Public Health England to appoint 2 Reading Facilitators to begin work in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, initially for just one year.

Two years later, the project is going from strength to strength and, as well as expanding to take in further local authorities due to the demonstrable success of the scheme, here in Northumberland we have now spread to three of the major localities in the county.

Ann is passionate about the benefits reading brings to the mind and to the body: “Books and reading provide a wonderful outlet for people by offering escapism, joy and entertainment. Vera is 21 this year and this project is her birthday present to the region that created her”.
  • How nice would it be to escape from daily chores, a mundane job, screaming kids and escape to Wonderland, jet off on an adventure or immerse yourself in mythical worlds!!!
  • We offer the companionship of like-minded people in a safe, confidential setting where you can lose yourself in a book, escape from the everyday, make friends and find a listening ear.
No one’s saying reading can cure illness or disease, but what it can do is provide a much-needed period of rest and relief! So, whatever makes you laugh, entertains you or interests you – why not come to one of our sessions.  All sessions are for people aged 16+ apart from our storytime session on a Tuesday afternoon..


Current Sessions

Mondays:
  • 10:30am - 11:30am at Newbiggin Library in the Sports and Community Hub.
  • 1pm - 2pm at Lynemouth Library in Lynemouth Day Centre, Albion Terrace, Lynemouth.
  • 7pm - 8pm at Newbiggin Library in the Sports and Community Hub.

Tuesdays:
  • 10:30am - 11:30am at Seaton Valley Library in Astley High School.

Wednesdays:
  • 10:30am - 11:30am at Hirst Welfare Centre, Alexander Road, Ashington.
We also have a Family Storytime at Newbiggin Library in the Sports and Community Hub on a Tuesday, 1pm - 2pm for pre-school children and their families and carers..
 

Contact Us

Call: Jane or Sarah email: read@northumberland.gov.uk

Find us on Facebook: Reading for Wellbeing – Northumberland

Visit the Reading for Wellbeing website: https://readingforwellbeing.org.uk/