The Reader Organisation has been delivering Get Into Reading groups for those living in care homes who are elderly and people living with dementia since 2006.

Get Into Reading groups are held in a range of settings including care homes, day centres, sheltered accommodation and community settings such as libraries and community centres.

The read aloud model allows people to listen to a story or poem, join in with reading and talking, and also simply to have the space and time to relax, to think and to be. In care homes, residents talk about how poetry has had a positive effect on their mood or state of mind.

“I like this… I like it because sometimes I feel lost and this helps me to go through and see it there and think.”

Get Into Reading links in with the National Dementia Strategy’s objective to improve the quality of care for people with dementia in care homes by providing meaningful engagement. Our Read to Lead training offers staff and carers the opportunity to learn how to deliver shared reading groups themselves.

In a recent evaluation we found that during groups:

• 86% of members are less agitated

• 86% have improved mood

• 87% have improved concentration

• 73% have better social interaction

Some of these outcomes continue long after the group is over, such as less agitation and improved mood.

We work in partnership with local PCTs, Councils, Memory Services, and Care Providers. We have recently delivered a six-month pilot project working with residents, staff and family members in eight Bupa Care Homes in London and Liverpool. During this pilot we read with 138 residents, delivering 162 reading group sessions, and providing 1,281 beneficiary experiences. Our work is also funded by The Headley Trust, who have supported an independent evaluation of our work with people living with dementia.

A Little, Aloud is an anthology of stories and poems for reading aloud with someone you care for. The book was inspired by the weekly Get Into Reading groups running in care homes for older people. Now we’re offering a special workshop so that you and members of your staff can learn how to use A Little, Aloud to make a big difference to the lives of the people you care for. Click here for more information.

For more information, please contact emmagibbons@thereader.org.uk.