The Reader Organisation Conference 2013

Shared Reading for Healthy Communities

Thursday 16th May 2013, British Library Conference Centre, Euston Road, London

Download the full 2013 Conference Programme

The Reader Organisation’s fourth annual conference will explore how their pioneering shared reading project, Get Into Reading, addresses the need for social inclusion, meaningful activity, and better health in communities across the UK:

• One in four British adults will experience mental health problems in any one year
• 75% of adult prisoners have a dual diagnosis (mental health problems combined with alcohol or drug misuse)
• 29% of households consist of a single person living alone
• Levels of dementia are predicted to increase by 62% in the next 20 years
• One in four children are practically illiterate upon leaving primary school
• Over 60% of young people who offend have communication difficulties

The Reader Organisation has a proven track record engaging with many of the hardest to reach individuals in society to build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.

This conference offers an invaluable opportunity for commissioners, practitioners, and leaders from across public and mental health, criminal justice, social care, community and education services, and professionals from the private and third sector, to examine the impact of shared reading projects as a whole population approach in the context of national policies and strategies.

Conference Outline

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Jane Davis, founder and director of The Reader Organisation
• Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health
• Professor Louis Appleby, National Clinical Director for Offender Health and Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group, University of Manchester
• Alan Yates, Director at Unique Health Solutions Ltd, former Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Trust
• Stephen Dalton, Chief Executive, Mental Health Network at NHS Confederation
• Professor Philip Davis, Director, Centre for Research into Reading, Information and Linguistic Systems, at University of Liverpool
• Professor Martin Orrell, Professor of Ageing and Mental Health at University College London
• Ciara Eastell, Head of Libraries, Culture and Heritage, Devon Libraries
• Pam Usher, Libraries, Arts and Heritage Manager, London Borough of Southwark
• Dirk Terryn, Literature and Media, Canon Cultuurcel

The Reader Organisation 2013 Conference Programme by The_Reader_Org

The morning session, Healthy People, will focus on public health, mental health, and dementia care, whilst the afternoon, Connected Communities, will focus on criminal justice, young people, addiction recovery, libraries and academic research.

We encourage delegates to join us for the full day but if you’re pushed for time or have a specific interest, our half-day option gives you the choice to focus your time and energy:

• Full-day: 9am – 5.30pm (includes lunch and afternoon tea)

• Healthy People (morning only): 9am – 1pm (includes lunch)

• Connected Communities (afternoon only): 1.30pm – 5.30pm (includes afternoon tea)

“Superbly intellectually stimulating day”

“I have told so many people how The Reader Conference was massively restorative because of the enormous passion, energy and commitment to something about being human.”

Feedback from 2012 Conference delegates

Tickets

1/3 cheaper than last year! All prices inclusive of VAT, lunch and/or afternoon tea.

• Full day: £130
• Morning: £75
• Afternoon: £75

Book now

Payment by credit/debit card: click here to book your place online: http://readerconference2013.eventbrite.com/

Payment by invoice/cheque: click here to download the booking form. Please send your completed form to sophiejohnson@thereader.org.uk

Enquiries

Please contact Sophie Johnson for further information: sophiejohnson@thereader.org.uk or 07973 247890.

Terms and Conditions

All bookings are provisional until payment is received. Payment must be received by 2nd May 2013.

Cancellation must be by written notice and refunds will be issued as followed:

• Full refund for cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the event
• 50% refund for cancellations made less than and including 14 days prior to the event
• No refund for cancellations made 24 hours prior to the event

The organisers reserve the right to change the content and timing of the programme, speakers or venue.