Conference
Thursday 17th-Friday 18th May 2012
British Library Conference Centre, Euston Road, London
Engagement in a weekly Get Into Reading group increases personal confidence and reduces social isolation, improves mental, emotional and psychological wellbeing, provides stability and support, and nurtures a love of literature.
Our conference will explain ‘how and why’ Get Into Reading works. It will also disseminate key findings of two recent research projects by the University of Liverpool on the impact of the Get Into Reading model on people with depression/dementia.
DAY ONE: Reading to Live Well
Thursday 17th May, 9am – 5pm
£199 day delegate rate
The conference will feature a number of acclaimed health professionals, academics, and writers from the UK and the USA, plus The Reader Organisation’s own experienced staff, exploring the links between shared reading and wellbeing.
Topics to be addressed include:
- Why shared reading works in a variety of settings
- How to set up a shared reading proejct in your organisation/borough
- How reading literature can help medical professionals in their practice
- Academic research into the practice of shared reading groups
The conference will uniquely bring together professionals working across a variety of public, third, and private sector organisations – those commissioning, delivering, researching, referring, or funding services -who want to learn how our pioneering ‘Get Into Reading’ project can help support and engage individuals to improve wellbeing, improve the morale and motivation of staff involved, and promote the importance of great literature.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Dr Iona Heath, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners
- Jonathan Rose, William R Kenan Professor of History, Drew University, USA, and author of The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes
- Nick Broughton, Medical Director, West London Mental Health NHS Trust
- Professor Phil Davis, Centre for Research into Reading, Information and Linguistic Systems, University of Liverpool
- Lemn Sissay, award-winning poet and the first to write for the Olympics 2012
- Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health, NHS Wirral
- Erwin James, writer and Guardian journalist
- Beverley Humphrey, Chief Executive, Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Trust
PROGRAMME AND BOOKING INFORMATION HERE
DAY TWO: Living to Read Well
***exclusively for shared reading facilitators (people who have completed our Read to Lead training course)***
Friday 18th May, 9.30am – 5pm
£99 day delegate rate
Keynote speakers include: Lemn Sissay, award-winning poet and the first to write poetry for the Olympics 2012
If you’ve been trained by The Reader Organisation to deliver shared reading groups, this second day is exclusively for you: practical sessions on reading aloud and choosing material, problem solving, literary masterclasses and plenty of time to meet and catch up with trained facilitators from across geographic regions and professional sectors.