Telling the story of a project's success

16 Feb 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

An innovative pilot project, aimed at harnessing the power of reading to boost mental health and improve wellbeing, has been hailed a success by a top UK author - who also helped fund it!

Ann Cleeves, whose mystery crime writing skills created the characters Vera, Jimmy Perez (Shetland) and Matthew Venn – now all popular televised dramas - attended a celebration event for the project.

Ann initiated the Reading for Wellbeing programme after being asked to speak at a public health conference in 2020 and was instrumental in its overwhelming success.

Six North East local authorities took part, including Northumberland and the author’s belief in the concept was so strong she helped to pay for two Community Reading Workers based at Newbiggin by the Sea, along with Public Health.

The celebration event at The National Centre for the Written Word, in South Sheilds, also heard heartfelt tributes from some of the 1,500 people who took part and who credited the programme with changing their lives.

Councillor Jeff Watson, Northumberland’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Libraries, said: “This project is not about literacy. It is about providing a safe, supportive, welcoming space for people, often from our most disadvantaged communities, to make new connections and new friendships.

“This work became even more important for people who had become isolated due to lockdown and fears about Covid 19 - it is not an exaggeration to say many lives were changed and some were saved by the programme.

“As we emerged from the pandemic residents were able to find escape and relief from isolation, anxieties, depression and even chronic pain through meeting others in similar circumstances to talk about books, reading and to share their experiences.

“We are hopeful that the success we celebrated today will continue and grow.”

Based on her own experience, Ann is a great advocate of the healing powers of reading.

She explained: “My husband suffered from severe bouts of mental ill health and reading helped me to get through it.

“Then I was diagnosed with cancer in my early 30s. I didn’t want to read about a poor woman struggling with cancer or self-help books – I wanted a really good murder!

“It is about reading for pleasure, something that takes you away from the stress, anxieties and worries about your real life for a while.
“If you have a good time with a book, it is a good book no matter what the critics say.”

Pauline Curwen, 73, from Ashington, explained what Reading for Wellbeing meant for her. “I live alone but volunteer at the local hospital and during Covid I was stood down due to my age and health problems.

“Although I am comfortable on my own, I did feel isolated. I saw an advert for Reading for Wellbeing and thought I’d give it a go – and I’ve never looked back.

“I am an avid reader and love crime fiction, but this has got me reading books I wouldn’t normally pick up. There are about 30 of us in the group we get together and discuss the books - I have to say I love it,” said Pauline.