In collaboration with The Reader, and facilitated by FOLIO volunteer Sally and Sutton Coldfield Library staff member Richard, our Shared Reading group offers a regular opportunity to get together with others over a cup of tea to enjoy listening to or reading stories and poems aloud. Everyone is welcome and there’s no pressure to take part or do any reading between sessions – you can just come along and listen, or join in the discussion about what we read.
There are two Shared Reading events in August. These will be held online (using Zoom), on the 5th and 19th of August at 2pm.
From September 9th the sessions will run weekly in Sutton Coldfield library, Thursdays 2-3.30pm. All sessions are free of charge.
You don’t need to commit to all sessions – just come along, try it and see if it’s something you enjoy (we think you will!).
To find out more please email Sally on sharedreading@foliosuttoncoldfield.org.uk or telephone Sutton Coldfield library on 0121 464 2274.
Shared Reading and how it works
A group of people, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. We stop and talk about what we have read. There is no need for group members to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.
Reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Group members are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading.
Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.
Shared Reading groups are open to all and free to attend.